Need to check temperature? Use a thermometer. Need to measure use of force performance under stress? Use VirTra.
For years, military and law enforcement agencies have trusted VirTra’s high-fidelity training simulators. But what if these same tools could reshape how we study use-of-force decisions? Increasingly, scientists looking to measure use-of-force performance under stress turn to VirTra, marking a breakthrough in law enforcement research.
Last year, Ohio State University tested the V-100 Single Screen Simulator to determine if it could meet the demands of Department of Defense-funded research. The study tracked 30 adults, including those with police or military experience, over three shooting sessions. Researchers evaluated the participants on 21 different shooting metrics, using the simulator’s real-time analytics to capture the data.
The results were definitive: Ohio State University tested and confirmed that VirTra’s V-100 accurately captured all 21 performance metrics with a high reliability score. The simulator’s precision in tracking shooting accuracy, reaction time, and decision-making exceeded research expectations, proving its value as a scientific measurement tool.
Read the full study here.
V-100 Simulator Sheds New Light on Critical Policing Questions
The V-100’s newfound academic credentials made it a logical choice for further use of force research. Lon Bartel, Grand Canyon University Doctoral student, with the support of Force Science, decided to use it to shed light on a longstanding question about police use of force:
How long does it take someone to stop shooting when presented with new information?
To explore this, the team created a scenario within the V-100 that displayed a target. When the target turned green, participants had to shoot as fast and accurately as possible but stop immediately when it turned red. The system then measured how many shots were fired after the stop signal, tracking reaction time delays.
This research led to some surprising findings. On average, the 109 participants fired an additional two rounds after the target turned red, with the first unintended shot occurring just 0.16 seconds after the signal changed. In the most ideal of conditions, the majority of participants fired 2 or more rounds after the stop signal. Where previous research conducted in this area looked at police officer performance, this study used participants and Cumberland University. Illuminating that officers and civilians alike take time to stop shooting once started.
Read the full study here.
Conclusion
The results of these studies reinforce VirTra’s reliability in high-stakes research. By providing accurate, real-time performance metrics, our V-100 has proven to be a critical tool for both training and scientific inquiry. As researchers continue to investigate decision-making, reaction times, and use-of-force dynamics, VirTra’s role in shaping the future of tactical training and law enforcement policy will only grow.
Want to bring cutting-edge training and research tools to your department? Police agencies can leverage grant funding to implement VirTra simulators. Download our FREE Grant Guide today! 👉 https://info.virtra.com/lp-free-guide-to-grants-funding-for-simulation-training
