A new project from BBC Writersroom, launched on Monday, will see viewers immersed into a 21st century murder mystery.
Drawing on the British obsession with whodunnits, The Last Hours of Laura K invites participants to examine CCTV footage, phone records and social media activity from the 24 hours preceding the death of Laura Kitchens.
The idea was developed during a BBC Writersroom innovation lab, and is inspired by the Edward Snowdon quotation "I don't want to live in a world where everything that I say, everything I do, everyone I talk to, every expression of creativity, love or friendship, is recorded."
The team behind the project created over 40 character profiles on social media, seeding clues over several months, and spent 16 days filming across London to produce 24 hours' worth of surveillance footage.
The result, described as a "crowd-sourced investigation," is an original take on the murder mystery, where users are given the opportunity to progress from merely shouting at their television set. Instead, they are called upon to lead the inquiry, examining the various clues left by the writing team.
Kate Rowland, BBC Writersroom Creative Director, said: "The project... challenges the traditional conventions of storytelling, and questions how we live our lives now."
To join the investigation, visit www.thelasthoursoflaurak.com
By Pippa Shawley