DGSN Open Days: Virtual Reality Turns Visitors Into Investigators

Marrakech – At the 7th edition of the General Directorate of National Security’s (DGSN) Open Days in Rabat, a forensic police pavilion is offering visitors something unprecedented.

Through a virtual reality simulation restricted to those aged 16 and above, the public can now walk through a reconstructed crime scene, search for evidence, and follow the investigative process from start to finish.

The event, running from May 18 to 24, marks the 70th anniversary of Morocco’s national police force. It has drawn thousands of visitors across thematic pavilions, interactive exhibits, and live tactical demonstrations.

But the forensic science stand has emerged as a focal point. Built around 3D projection and AI-assisted virtual reality, the exhibit draws particular interest from younger audiences curious about criminal investigation techniques and modern policing methods.

The simulation places visitors inside a digitally reconstructed apartment. A body lies covered on the floor. Yellow tape marks the perimeter. Objects are overturned in the kitchen, traces are visible on the ground, and a dark stain sits on the carpet. A forensic technician guides small groups through the scene, asking them to locate evidence and think through the investigation.

The scenario depicts a domestic worker discovering her employer’s body and contacting the police without disturbing the scene. Officers and technicians then arrive, collect physical evidence, and submit it to specialized laboratories for analysis.

For investigators, every trace left undisturbed counts

Fatima-Zahra Janati Idrissi, a chief police commissioner and doctor of analytical chemistry stationed at the DGSN’s Institute of Forensic Sciences (ISF), told Morocco’s state-owned news agency MAP that the simulation aims to bring visitors closer to the work of crime scene technicians.

She noted it covers the full process, “from the collection of evidence and strategic traces that contribute directly to identifying criminals and clarifying the circumstances of cases.”

Janati Idrissi also stressed the public awareness dimension of the initiative. The experience, she explained, seeks to alert citizens to the importance of not interfering with a crime scene or altering its contents, “in order to avoid destroying criminal traces and evidence likely to obstruct investigations conducted by the forensic police.”

Beyond the simulated crime scene, the pavilion features interactive screens and devices that trace the full lifecycle of collected evidence. Visitors can follow the processing chain for each type of sample, whether chemical, biological, or technical, including fingerprints and electronic devices.

Janati Idrissi noted that the exhibit reflects “the level of expertise of human resources and the advanced logistical means available to the forensic police in Morocco.” These capabilities, she added, are deployed “to solve crimes and identify perpetrators with high precision and in record time.”

Beyond forensics, the DGSN puts its full arsenal on display

The Open Days also showcase the DGSN’s command and coordination center, where AI-powered surveillance systems are on display. The technologies include automated license plate recognition, real-time vehicle tracking, and crowd monitoring tools used during large public events.

A dedicated space for the Line 19 emergency platform demonstrates an internally developed application that processes citizen reports and coordinates rapid response.

A separate museum pavilion traces the evolution of the Moroccan police since its founding in 1956. Archive photographs, historical uniforms, vintage motorcycles, and early communication equipment document the institution’s transformation from a conventional law enforcement body into a technology-driven security apparatus.

The forensic simulation was developed by Exhibition Hub and represents a first in the history of the DGSN’s Open Days. Visitors exit the experience through a laboratory section, where screens display forensic results, including a footprint found in alcohol that does not match the victim and an unidentified white powder classified as a controlled substance.

The event is organized in line with the directives of King Mohammed VI and aims to reinforce public trust in the national police through transparency, citizen engagement, and institutional modernization.