Forensics: Crime Scene Detective — Steam Demo Guide

The Forensics: Crime Scene Detective demo launched on June 15, 2026 during Steam Next Fest and surpassed 80,000 downloads during the festival. It remains free on Steam and includes tutorial missions that teach crime scene photography, digital evidence collection, fingerprint lifting, and ballistics — the same core skills needed in the full release.

How to Download the Demo

1. Visit the Steam store page for Forensics: Crime Scene Detective.
2. Scroll to the demo section and click "Download Demo".
3. Install through your Steam library under "Demo" category.
4. Launch the demo — no purchase required.

What the Demo Includes

Demo vs Full Game

• Same tutorials — The demo tutorials match the full game's opening missions.
• No Case 1 — The Locked Office Murder investigation is full-game only.
• No save transfer — Demo progress does not carry over; you restart tutorials in the full version.
• Same controls — PC keyboard and mouse, or controller if connected.
• Free forever — The demo stays on Steam after Next Fest ended.

Demo Walkthrough Tips

Each demo tutorial teaches one forensic technique, then gives you a practice case using only that technique. Developer Jens Wiechering confirmed this structure in press interviews: tutorials demonstrate the method, practice cases reinforce it solo.

1. At the LKA lab, interact with the filing cabinet and select the first tutorial case.
2. Press H or E to travel to the crime scene when prompted.
3. Place markers before touching any evidence — the game rates your accuracy.
4. Photograph every marked item with the marker visible in frame.
5. Return to the lab and process evidence at the correct workstation.
6. Repeat for all four tutorial/practice case pairs before deciding to buy.

Should You Buy After the Demo?

If you enjoyed the methodical pace and forensic procedures in the demo, the full game adds investigation cases with combined techniques and more complex scenarios. If you found the demo too slow or confusing, the full game will feel the same — our Getting Started guide helps, but this is a niche simulation. Check the launch discount (20% off on Steam until July 27) and read our review before purchasing.