Evidence Briefing Slides Case File: 001
Evidence Files
The Power of the Passive Voice
Classroom Investigation Unit
The Scene
Look around the room, Detective. What do you see?
The class pet's cage is open.
Papers are scattered on the floor.
The window is unlocked.
"We don't know who did it yet. We only know what happened."
Evidence Photo Placeholder
(Staged Classroom Scene)
Who vs. What?
Active Voice
"Somebody stole the hamster."
Focus: The person (the subject).
Passive Voice
"The hamster was stolen."
Focus: The object (the evidence).
In a crime report, we focus on the EVIDENCE first!
The Formula
Object The door
"Be" Verb was
Past Participle opened
Present Simple
Evidence is found .
Past Simple
Evidence was found .
Investigator Training
Mission #1
Turn these observations into Passive reports:
Someone broke the glass.
A thief took the secret key.
The intruder left fingerprints.
Example Log
"The desk was moved...
Evidence Log Worksheet Evidence Log
Classroom Investigation Division
Investigator:
Date:
Case ID: MP-2026-X
Part 1: Objective Observations
Instructions: Look at the "Crime Scene" in the classroom. Instead of guessing WHO did it, describe WHAT happened. Use the Passive Voice (Object + was/were + Past Participle).
01
Description of Evidence
Example: The window was opened.
02
03
04
Part 2: Transformation Lab
Rewrite these active sentences from a witness into formal passive reports for the case file.
Witness Statement (Active) Past Simple
"Someone broke the vase on the shelf."
Official Report (Passive)
Witness Statement (Active) Past Simple
"The intruder stole the secret codes."
Official Report (Passive)
Witness Statement (Active) Present Simple
"They keep the diamond in a glass box."
Official Report (Passive)
AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED FOR ACCESS PROPERTY OF INVESTIGATION UNIT HQ
Evidence Log Teacher Guide Investigator Training Guide
Lesson 1: Describing Evidence (Passive Voice)
Instructional Goal
Students will transition from "who-focused" narratives to "object-focused" objective reporting by mastering the formation of the passive voice in present and past simple tenses.
Key Grammar
was + Past Participle
were + Past Participle
is/are + Past Participle
Lesson Flow
1
The Hook: The Disarray (10 mins)
Before students arrive, stage a mild "disarray" (papers on floor, chairs turned, a box moved). When they enter, tell them they are Objective Observers . They are NOT allowed to guess who did it. They must only say what they see using "was/were."
"Detective, don't tell me who did it. Tell me what was done to this room!"
2
Direct Instruction (15 mins)
Use the Evidence Briefing Slides . Explain that in science and law, we often hide the "subject" (the doer) to stay objective. Model the formula: Object + form of "be" + Past Participle .
Common Misconception:
Students often use the Past Simple instead of the Past Participle (e.g., "The glass was broke" vs "The glass was broken"). Focus on the irregular verb list.
3
The Evidence Log (20 mins)
Distribute the Evidence Log Worksheet . Have students walk around the "scene" and record at least 4 observations. Monitor and check for the correct form of the "be" verb (singular vs. plural).
Investigator Support (Differentiation)
Scaffolded (Newer ESL)
Provide a "Cheat Sheet" of common past participles found in a mystery (found, stolen, broken, moved, left, seen). Use sentence starters: "The __________ was __________."
Extension (Advanced ESL)
Challenge students to explain *why* the passive is better in this context. Have them write a 3-sentence summary of the scene without using any pronouns (he/she/they).
Clue Analyst Slides Analysis Phase: II
Deduction Lab
Mastering Modals of Certainty
Must Have
Might Have
Couldn't Have
The Detective's Dilemma
Yesterday, we saw WHAT happened:
"The window was broken."
Today, we ask WHY and HOW.
We don't know for sure, so we use Deduction .
99%
"I'm almost sure!"
50%
"It's possible."
0%
"No way! Impossible."
The Certainty Scale
Impossible
Couldn't have
Possible
Might have / Could have
Almost Certain
Must have
Grammar Formula:
Modal + have + Past Participle
Practice: The Broken Window
Evidence A
The window is broken from the outside . There is a rock on the floor.
"Someone must have thrown a rock."
Evidence B
The wind is very strong today. The window was old.
"The wind might have broken it."
Evidence C
The hamster is tiny and weak. He cannot lift rocks.
"The hamster couldn't have done it."
The Mystery Box
Listen to the sound... Feel the weight...
"It sounds heavy. It must have metal inside."
"It rattles. It might have coins."
Theory Builder Worksheet Theory Builder
Investigator's Analytical Report
Phase DEDUCTION
Deduction Tool-Kit
90-100% Certain must have + V3
30-50% Certain might/could have + V3
0% Certain couldn't have + V3
Part 1: Theories from Evidence
Look at the clues below. Use a modal of deduction to explain what probably happened.
CLUE #1
Theory (High Certainty)
Example: The intruder must have entered through the window.
CLUE #2
Theory (Medium Certainty)
CLUE #3
Theory (Negative Certainty)
Part 2: Mystery Box Investigation
Participate in the Mystery Box game. Write two theories about what is inside based on the clues (sound, weight, size).
1
2
Investigator Name:
Theory-Builder-Form-02
Mystery Box Cards Activity Mystery Box Cards
Teacher Prep: Print & Cut
Evidence Card #01
The Jingle
"The box makes a loud, metallic jingle sound when I shake it. It feels quite heavy for its size."
MODAL GOAL: Must Have
Evidence Card #02
The Feather-weight
"The box is very light. There is no sound when I shake it. It feels almost empty."
MODAL GOAL: Might Have / Could Have
Evidence Card #03
The Cold Touch
"The bottom of the box feels very cold to the touch. It smells like something sweet."
MODAL GOAL: Might Have
Evidence Card #04
The Rolling Stone
"Something is rolling around inside. It sounds like a heavy ball moving from side to side."
MODAL GOAL: Must Have / Couldn't Have
Evidence Card #05
The Silent Giant
"The box is very large, but when I shake it, there is absolutely no sound or movement."
MODAL GOAL: Must Have / Couldn't Have
Evidence Card #06
The Soft Thud
"When I shake the box, I hear a soft, muffled thud. Like something fluffy hitting cardboard."
MODAL GOAL: Might Have
Use these cards to lead small group discussions. One student describes the clue, others use modals to deduce.
Interview Protocol Slides Analysis Phase: III
Witness Reports
The Rules of Reported Speech
Recording the Truth
The Telephone Problem
In an investigation, we must report exactly what people said.
Direct Speech
"I saw a man in a red hat."
Reported Speech
The witness said that he had seen a man in a red hat.
Why did the tense change? Let's find out.
The Golden Rule: Backshift
When we report what someone said in the past , we take a step back in time.
Direct Speech (Now) Reported Speech (Past) "I know him." (Present Simple) She said she knew him. (Past Simple) "I am watching him." (Pres. Cont.) He said he was watching him. (Past Cont.) "I found it." (Past Simple) They said they had found it. (Past Perfect)
Don't Forget the Details!
1. Pronouns
"I am here." He said that he was here.
Think: Who is speaking?
2. Time & Place
"Here" There
"Now" Then
"Today" That day
"Yesterday" The day before
Witness Role-Play
Partner A is the Witness . Partner B is the Detective .
Task:
Ask: "What did you see?"
Testimony Translator Worksheet Testimony Translator
Official Reported Speech Transcript
Status
PENDING REPORT
Shift Reference
Pres. Simple → Past Simple
Past Simple → Past Perfect
I / We → He / She / They
Now → Then / That time
Part 1: Witness Statements
Translate these direct quotes into official reported speech for your notes.
Witness A:
"I am very nervous today."
Reported Version
Witness A said that she...
Witness B:
"We found a small key on the floor yesterday."
Reported Version
Witness C:
"I don't like the look of that suspicious cat."
Reported Version
Part 2: Field Interview Log
Conduct a role-play with a partner. Write down one direct thing they say, then report it.
Partner's Quote (Direct)
"I saw..."
Your Report (Reported)
Detective:
OFFICIAL RECORD - DO NOT REMOVE
Witness Statement Cards Activity CONFIDENTIAL
Witness Testimony Cards
Distribute one card to each "Witness"
Witness #1: The Janitor
"I usually lock the side door at 5:00 PM, but yesterday I forgot."
Tense: Pres. Simple & Past Simple
Witness #2: The Librarian
"I am reading a very interesting mystery book right now."
Tense: Pres. Continuous
Witness #3: The Coach
"I found a muddy sneaker in the gym this morning."
Tense: Past Simple
Witness #4: The Student
"I will help you find the missing hamster tomorrow."
Tense: Future (Will)
Witness #5: The Principal
"I don't know who has the key to the supply closet."
Tense: Pres. Simple (Neg)
Witness #6: The Nurse
"I was eating my lunch when I heard a loud crash."
Tense: Past Continuous
Instructions for Teachers:
Give these cards to students who will act as witnesses. The rest of the class (detectives) must interview them and report their statements using the correct backshifting rules on their worksheets.
Chronology Master Slides Timeline Tracer
The Past Perfect Mystery
HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE
Which happened first?
Event 1 (Earlier)
Past Perfect
Event 2 (Later)
Past Simple
NOW
"The thief had gone before the guards arrived."
Timeline Logic
Structure
Subject + HAD + V3
Example: I had eaten.
Time Markers
• Before
• After
• By the time
• When
It's the
Applying to the Case
Combine these two facts using Past Perfect :
Fact A: The janitor cleaned the floor (at 4:00).
Fact B: The teacher arrived (at 4:30).
The Solution:
"The janitor had cleaned the floor before the teacher arrived."
The Jumbled Timeline
Put the events in order using "had."
1. The bell rang.
2. The suspect left.
3. I entered.
Write your sentences now!
Timeline Logic Worksheet Timeline Logic
Investigative Sequencing Form
CODE: PAST-PERFECT
The "Step Back" Formula
Had + V3 (Past Participle)
Usage Rule
Use Past Perfect for the event that happened first. Use Past Simple for the event that happened second.
Part 1: Sequencing Scenarios
Combine the two facts into one sentence using "before," "after," or "when."
SCENARIO 01 TIME: 08:00 & 08:15
A: The thief stole the diamond (8:00)
B: The alarm went off (8:15)
Official Timeline Sentence
SCENARIO 02 TIME: 10:00 & 10:30
A: It started to rain (10:00)
B: The footprints washed away (10:30)
Official Timeline Sentence
SCENARIO 03 TIME: 12:00 & 12:05
A: Someone opened the cage (12:00)
B: The hamster escaped (12:05)
Official Timeline Sentence
Part 2: Case Logic Challenge
Write one complex sentence that explains why a certain clue was found (or missing) using the Past Perfect .
Example: "By the time I arrived, the intruder had already escaped through the vents."
Agent Signature
SERIAL NO: PP-04-TRACER
Final Briefing Slides Case Status: Final
Case Closed
The Final Case Report Synthesis
Final Briefing
The Final Mission
The Chief of Police (Teacher) needs your final report in 60 minutes.
Your Goal:
Combine all your evidence, interviews, and theories into one professional document that proves who did it.
Case File Sealed
Grammar Requirements
Describing
Use Passive Voice for the evidence.
Theories
Use Modals for your guesses.
Testimony
Use Reported Speech for witnesses.
Timeline
Use Past Perfect for the order.
Detective Peer Review
Swap files with another Detective. Check for Accuracy .
Are verbs backshifted?
Is "had" used correctly?
Is the passive voice objective?
Investigator Seal
Master Investigator
Case Briefing
Presentations
"Gentlemen, based on the evidence collected, we have concluded that..."
Official Case File Report Template Top Secret
Official Case File
Investigation Synthesis Report
Status Closed
Lead Detective:
Date of Report:
SECTION 01
Objective Evidence Log
Requirement: Describe the scene using Passive Voice.
SECTION 02
Witness Testimony Summary
Requirement: Report witness statements using Reported Speech.
SECTION 03
Chronological Analysis
Requirement: Sequence the events using Past Perfect (had + V3).
SECTION 04
Conclusion & Theory
Requirement: State your conclusion using Modals of Deduction.
File Reference: CASE-S-2026-FINAL
Archive Location: UNIT 05 / ROOM 204
Verified by Inspector
Investigator's Rubric Assessment Investigator's Rubric
Mastery-Based Assessment Guide
Criteria Novice Detective Professional Agent Lead Inspector Passive Voice (Section 1) Focuses on subjects; passive formula is missing or incorrect. Most evidence described in passive; formula (be + V3) is generally correct. Expertly uses passive voice to maintain objective distance and highlight evidence. Reported Speech (Section 2) Reports quotes without backshifting tenses or changing pronouns. Backshifts most tenses correctly; some errors in pronoun/time markers. Flawless backshifting and consistent pronoun/time adjustments for all witnesses. Past Perfect Timeline (Section 3) Uses only Past Simple; timeline of events is unclear. Uses "had + V3" to show earlier past events; logic is mostly clear. Complex sequencing effectively uses Past Perfect to clarify a complicated timeline. Modals of Deduction (Section 4) Theories are direct statements ("He did it") without degrees of certainty. Uses "must have" or "might have" to qualify theories with some accuracy. Sophisticated use of varied modals (must, might, couldn't) based on evidence strength.
Field Notes
Final Evaluation
Evidence Analysis (10)
Syntactic Accuracy (10)
TOTAL: / 20
Verification code: MASTER-DETECTIVE-2026-X8
