Dubai: Like a good crime thriller? Here’s your chance to solve crime mysteries and enjoy a new game called ‘Virtual Crime Scene’, courtesy Dubai Police, at shopping malls near you.

Under the directives of Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, the Dubai Police Scholars Council came up with the initiative to let the public play the game of an artificial crime scene installed in shopping malls and solve crime mysteries.

Major Dr Rashid Hamdan Al Gafry, head of the scholars council, said the initiative is to help people gain a better understanding of how police protect society from crimes.

“We want visitors to participate, especially the youngsters. We will show them a crime and put evidence on the scene to see if the participant can solve the mystery and identify the suspect. The game tests a person’s ability to link evidence and propose a theory,” Maj Al Gafry said.

The first virtual crime scene was set up at Mirdif City Centre on Thursday. It will move to other shopping malls in the future.

The platform simulates a living quarters with a bedroom with chairs and table labelled with tape to make it look like a crime scene.

“We will post on our social media accounts about when the next crime scene will be ready so people can come and participate. We want to educate the public about policing and show them what we do to protect the city and spread the feeling of safety among society,” he added.

Dubai Police want the visitors to see the scientific ways they use to solve crimes and also to spot youngsters who have a talent in solving mysteries and encourage them to join the force in the future.

The winners who solve the crimes on the platform will get gifts and a chance to visit the General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology of Dubai Police to watch the latest technologies used by law enforcement officers to achieve justice.