Law enforcement agencies across the United Kingdom are beginning to rely more and more on video remote interpreting (VRI) services. VRI is projected to help speed up criminal investigations and cut the number of terrorist attacks. Without having to wait for interpreters to travel or to track down interpreters for rare languages, the police can question suspects sooner. This allows them to uncover critical information for their investigations faster. It also cuts public spending, as the agencies are no longer paying interpreter’s travel expenses.
Video Remote Interpreting is not only useful for law enforcement. It is a valuable service for any industry or situation, especially those which require immediate access to an interpreter. VRI services are becoming more commonly used in both legal interpreting and medical interpreting. Law courts across the world are enlisting VRI services to help defendants get speedy arraignments. Without VRI, defendants often have to wait to find interpreters who speak their desired language combination. With VRI, interpreters speaking this language combination can be found and used faster as they do not have to travel to the defendant.
More and more hospitals are also harnessing the power of VRI, especially in emergency room situations. VRI is extremely useful for healthcare interpreters because it can be used anywhere with internet access and gets interpreters involved quickly. This access to interpreters can be the difference between life and death in cases where language barriers limit doctors’ abilities to help the patient. Before VRI, most hospitals relied on telephone interpreting systems. VRI has been replacing telephone interpreting systems in hospitals because interpreters are able to deliver more accurate translations. They are able to see patients’ expressions and body language and can, in turn, translate these for the doctors.
As interpreters are video-called into the conversation, all that is needed for VRI is internet access and a computer or mobile device with a webcam. VRI allows companies and individuals access to interpreters around the world. This can prove extremely useful in situations where interpreters speaking the desired language are rarely found in the area.