3D printers are being used to craft everything from jewelry to furniture. That’s not all they can do though. Here’s some of the craziest projects you (might) be able to pull off with one of these futuristic machines.

Solve a Murder

Police in Tokyo are using a 3D printer to continue their investigation of an unsolved murder case. In 1996, a 21-year-old college student named Kobayashi Junko was killed in his home and the person(s) responsible are still at large. The house was destroyed in a fire shortly after Junko’s death, which made bringing the killers to justice almost impossible. Using the printer, the authorities have designed a detailed model of the house that they hope will jog the memories of the cops who originally worked on the case and, hopefully, reveal additional clues. It’s not the first time Tokyo’s authorities have relied on a 3D printer in an investigation. In 2013, they used one to create a model of a fugitive’s face.

Build a House

Designers in Amsterdam are constructing a canal house using a large 3D printer they’ve dubbed the KamerMaker (which means “Room Maker” in Dutch). Using environmentally friendly bioplastics, they’re “printing out” all the pieces they need to build a four-story home. While the printer makes many aspects of the construction process easier, it’s proven difficult for the designers to adhere to local building regulations. The entire project is expected to take three years and it’s attracted visitors from all over the world, including President Obama, who had a look during a recent trip to the Netherlands.

Make a Guitar

Several different organizations have used 3D printers to make musical instruments. One designer managed to make a working flute and, last year, a Dutch musician tried out a 3D violin during a TED presentation in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, it sounded pretty bad and it was problematically heavier than a standard violin. The folks at Swedish company ODD have had similar problems with their musical wares. While their 3D printed guitars look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie and they’re incredibly durable, some musicians think they don’t sound as good as more traditional ones.
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