VIRTUAL reality computer software will be used as part of an investigation into the deaths of four young soldiers at an Army barracks, it has emerged.

Detectives investigating the deaths of the soldiers at Deepcut barracks in Surrey will reconstruct their last movements using 3D technology.

The technique has already been used in high-profile cases, including the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.

A psychologist will also be used to produce profiles of the dead soldiers.

The investigation will be based on evidence from nearly 600 witness statements.

All four soldiers, including Private Geoff Gray, 17, of Seaham, County Durham, died from gunshot wounds at the barracks in the past seven years.

Pte Sean Benton, 20, and Pte Cheryl James, 18, died at the base in 1995, Pte Gray last year and Pte James Collinson in March this year.

Their deaths were not initially investigated by police because the Army insisted they were suicides - a claim which was backed up by military police, who handled the initial investigation.

Under new guidelines issued in the wake of the deaths, civilian police now have to find hard evidence that an Army death is suicide before handing responsibility for the inquiry to the military.

Geoff Gray, father of Pte Gray, said the police were "grasping at straws".

He said: "They clearly can't come to any concrete answers as to whether our children were murdered or committed suicide. They should now just admit they don't know and let us move on to a public inquiry."

Mr Gray and his wife are spearheading a campaign for the Government to hold a public inquiry into the deaths, a move being supported by The Northern Echo.

This week a dozen bereaved families will join the Grays as they lobby MPs at the House of Commons.

Mr Gray said last week that more than 35 families had contacted his barrister with concerns over loved ones who died while serving in the Army.