Visualize a universe in which a prosecutor can guide a jury through a virtual-reality recreation of a crime scene within the metaverse.

Consider the potential improvement in efficiency and effectiveness of first responders who have trained in virtual environments mimicking bomb scenes and natural disasters multiple times before encountering the real thing.

Envision a metaverse where crimes and harmful actions are clearly outlined and prosecuted from the onset, creating a much safer alternative to the current state of the internet.

These are among the scenarios described in the recent Interpol metaverse report. The report delves into ways in which law enforcement agencies could utilize the metaverse, as well as potential ‘Meta Crimes’ and how to address them. Overall, it explores the potential advantages, threats, and challenges of the metaverse.

Insights from the Interpol report on the metaverse

First, the report recognizes the difficulty of defining the metaverse. It attempts to describe it as “a three-dimensional online environment in which users represented by avatars interact with each other in virtual spaces disconnected from the real physical world.”

The report references research firm Gartner’s prediction that by 2025, 25% of individuals will spend at least an hour per day in the metaverse. This indicates that the metaverse is not a concept for the distant future, but something that is fast approaching—highlighting the need for law enforcement to be prepared to navigate its challenges and leverage its potential.

In terms of opportunities, Interpol identifies building partnerships and networking, global conferences, 3D immersive crime scenes, and the digitization of crime scenes as significant areas. Challenges include technological and infrastructure requirements, data privacy and ethical concerns, legal and jurisdictional ambiguity, and cybersecurity threats. The report also envisions the integration with artificial intelligence (AI) and the expansion of virtual operations as potential future developments.

The report introduces the term ‘Meta Crime’ and emphasizes the necessity of defining what constitutes crimes and harms in the metaverse, along with providing a chart outlining the primary ones.