A re-creation (not to be confused with recreation) is a reenactment, typically used to solve a crime or determine a mode of failure or cause of death. This may either be an actual reenactment, or a virtual reality one done on a computer. The re-creation helps to show things to investigators that might not otherwise be obvious.

In a shooting, the floorplan of the room, the reported positions of the assailant and victim, the angle at which the bullets entered and exited the victims and/or furniture and walls are all taken into account.

In disasters such as building collapses and aircraft crashes, engineering consultants are brought in as well.

Law enforcement techniques