WELCOME TO THE
VR CRIME LAB

Brook is in her first year of studies pursuing a Master of Arts in Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus. Brook previously completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a specialization in Forensics and a minor in Human Rights and Human Diversity at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research interests include police use of force, relational policing, police de-escalation techniques, and the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies in criminological research. She is currently completing coursework in preparation for her Master’s Thesis which will seek to evaluate witnesses’ perceptions of relational policing in the presence of a public safety threat using Virtual Reality technologies. Participation in this research lab provides her with experience in testing VR technologies and creating VR content in preparation for her thesis. In her free time you can typically find her binging reality tv.

Aliyah (she/her) is an undergraduate research assistant in the Virtual Reality (VR) Crime Lab. She is a third-year undergraduate student at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus, pursuing an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Forensic Psychology specialization, and minors in Physical Forensics and Criminology. Aliyah’s academic and research interests are found in the areas of interactions between police and those in a mental health crisis, de-escalation, and police stress after mental health-related calls. She has an interest in how VR technology can be used to aid police officers in de-escalation and coping with stress after a mental health-related crisis. When she is not in the lab or in class, she can often be found reading a book.

Alyssa is a third year student at Wilfrid Laurier University pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology with a specialization in Forensic Psychology and a minor in Criminology. Alyssa's academic and research interests are around the area of trauma, including Post Traumatic Stress and other trauma related disorders. She has a special interest in how Virtual Reality technology can be used as a therapeutic tool for those affected by trauma. She is also interested in how police and military members experience and cope with traumatic situations, and how first responders respond to mental health crises and de-escalation scenarios.When Alyssa isn't in the lab or in class, she can often be found playing video games with her cat. 

Andrew is a third year student studying at Wilfrid Laurier University on the Brantford campus. Andrew is studying criminology with a focus on policing. His passions revolve around the policing field, and will be pursuing a career in the OPP upon the completion of his degree. He has an interest in VR technology, and studying how VR can influence and impact the field of policing, both in every-day police training, as well as how to successfully support those with mental health illnesses.

Bailie is a Wilfrid Laurier university student studying on the Brantford campus going into her third year as a double major in criminology and psychology with a Forensic Specialization. She is currently involved in two research labs, the first being Dr. Jennifer Lavoie's Forensic VR lab as a research assistant. The second is Dr. Danielle Law's CARE Lab as a research spotlit assistant and the community connections team working with children and their development. Bailie works for Laurier University and is developing her own research thesis investigating issues related to psychopathy. 

Natalia is an undergraduate research assistant in the Virtual Reality (VR) Crime Lab. She is a second-year student at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Forensic Specialization. Natalia’s research areas of interest include eyewitness testimony, how victims of crime are psychologically impacted, sexual assault victims’ experiences in the justice system, and VR research. In the future, she plans on furthering her psychology career by becoming a psychologist who specializes in working with victims of sexual assault and how the criminal justice system can be improved to meet their needs. When Natalia is not in the lab or in class she can be found listening to BTS.