A Murder of Witnesses
In a near future where advanced technology bridges the gap between humans and animals, police investigators employ augmented reality interfaces and low-frequency sonic emitters to communicate with crows—transforming animal bystanders into potential witnesses. As the forensic team gathers evidence, legal and ethical quandaries surface about the admissibility and reliability of animal testimony, the necessary changes in policing protocols, and the larger philosophical questions regarding animal sentience and justice.
The story explores how this innovation not only revolutionizes criminal investigation but also compels society to reconsider its relationship with the natural world and the rights of the creatures within it.