Scene Observation Slides Shadow Squad
Digital Evidence File
CASE FILE #042: THE MISSING WHISTLE
Incident Report
Status: Active Investigation
Archive ID: 042-B
At 07:15 Hours, Coach Miller discovered the trophy case in the main gym had been forced open.
Subject of Theft:
The Golden Whistle Trophy
MISSING
Crime Scene Photo #01
Top-Down Reconstruction
Exit to Gym
DESK
CASE
1
Sneaker Print
2
Note Scrap
3
Spilled Coffee
N
Squad Task:
Map all markers
Note distances
Sketch layout
Identify exits
Persons of Interest (1-3)
Coach Miller
Reported theft. Disagreed with the budget liquidation plan.
Size: 11
Custodian Carl
Has master keys. Saw a "shadow" near office door at 00:00.
Size: 12
Principal Peters
Proposed selling the trophy. Was working in office until 21:00.
Size: 8
Persons of Interest (4-5)
Secretary Sarah
Handles scheduling. Thinks trophy "blocks hallways" and should be removed.
Shoe Size: 7
IT Ian
Upgrading Wi-Fi. Frustrated that sports gets more funding than technology.
Shoe Size: 10
Teacher Resource: Lesson 1
Focus Skills
Observation vs. Inference. Students should map Marker #1 (Size 11 print) and use Slide 4 to immediately eliminate suspects Carl (12) and Peters (8).
Prompting Question
"Why might a detective care about the spilled coffee? Does it tell us about the time of the crime or just the person?"
Sketching Key
Ensure students note the distance between the Case and the Exit. The note scrap (Marker 2) is found on the path to the gym exit.
Solution Check: Miller's shoe size (11) is the first definitive match.
Evidence Log Worksheet Shadow Squad
Forensic Case File: 042-W
NAME:
DATE:
Investigate the digital crime scene reconstruction and log all evidence below.
Part 1: Initial Scene Survey
Examine the provided digital evidence file. What looks out of place? Record all 3 Evidence Markers.
Part 2: Evidence Collection Log
ID # Description of Item Analysis Status 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Part 3: Forensic Sketch
Recreate the room layout from the digital file. Label items 1-3.
Scale Grid
Persons of Interest
Initial Database (Consult Slides for full details).
Coach MillerSize 11
Custodian CarlSize 12
Principal PetersSize 8
Secretary SarahSize 7
IT IanSize 10
Hint: Match the sneaker print found at Marker #1 to narrow your suspect list immediately.
Legend / Key
Scale / Orientation
North:
Teacher Guide: Lesson 1
Observation Key
The digital scan shows 3 Evidence Markers. #1 is the Size 11 shoe print near the exit. #2 is the ransom note. #3 is the spilled coffee. Students should immediately identify that only Coach Miller (Size 11) is a viable suspect based on the footprint.
Implementation Tips
Ensure students create their top-down sketch *before* moving to the evidence log.
Focus on identifying furniture landmarks (Desk, Trophy Case) first.
Circulate and ask: "Is your sketch to scale? Does 1 grid square represent 1 foot?"
SOL-042-OBSERVATION-KEY
Shadow Squad Teacher Guide Facilitation Guide
Shadow Squad Investigations / 5-Suspect Roster
Teacher Resource
Investigation Overview
Four-part investigative sequence using digital evidence. Students analyze five suspects (Coach Miller, Custodian Carl, Principal Peters, Secretary Sarah, and IT Ian) to solve "The Case of the Missing Whistle."
Suspect Database (Solution: Miller)
Suspect Shoe Size Fingerprint Pen Type Miller 11 (Match) Whorl Blue Ballpoint Carl 12 Arch Black Marker Peters 8 Loop Fountain Pen Sarah 7 Radial Loop Glitter Gel Pen Ian 10 Double Whorl Tech Stylus Pen
Instructional Sequence
01
Grid Search (30m)
Observation focus. Shoe size (Marker #1) narrows the pool from 5 suspects to 1 (Miller).
02
Print & Script (30m)
Biometric focus. Fingerprint pattern (Marker #2) and handwriting traits confirm the suspect identity.
03
Ink Trails (30m)
Chemical focus. Chromatography match between note and Miller's pen is the definitive proof.
04
Case Closed (30m)
Final synthesis. Teams complete the Accusation Form using triangulation of all evidence.
Facilitation Strategies
Squad Roles
Lead Investigator (records data), Evidence Tech (analyzes scans), and Strategic Analyst (narrative synthesis).
The Motivation Trap
Students often focus on IT Ian or Sarah due to clear resentments. Redirect them to physical evidence when narrative logic conflicts.
Teacher Prep
Review digital map on Slide 3.
Print Interview Logs and Lab Reports.
Check Lab Result color fidelity.
Targeted Forensic Skills
Digital Observation Biometric Pattern Matching Chemical Analysis Interpretation Critical Synthesis
Shadow Squad Investigations // SOL-042-FAC
Print and Script Slides Day 2: Physical Clues
Identity Markers
Analyzing the unique patterns left behind at the scene.
Classification: The Big Three
The Loop
65% of people
The Whorl
30% of people
The Arch
5% of people
Minutiae Clues
Tiny ridge endings and splits that make a print 1-in-a-billion.
Today's Task:
Identify 3 minutiae points on the Evidence print.
Island / Dot
Bifurcation
Ridge Ending
Lake
The Written Word
Habits are hard to break. Check the ransom note for:
Slant (Left, Right, or Straight)
Letter Spacing (Wide or Tight)
Loops on Gs, Ys, and Js
"The whistle sounds better in MY collection."
Evidence #03
Pattern Match Worksheet Pattern Analysis Report
Evidence Set: Biometric & Linguistic
Case 042-P
Laboratory Reference: Suspect Database
Miller
Whorl
Carl
Plain Arch
Peters
Ulnar Loop
Sarah
Radial Loop
Ian
Double Whorl
Suspect Handwriting Catalog
Vertical & Wide
Miller
Caps Only
Carl
Right Slant
Peters
Connected
Sarah
Sloppy/Fast
Ian
Evidence #01: Recovered Print
Latent 01
Pattern Match:
Probable Source:
Evidence #02: Ransom Note Analysis
"The whistle sounds better in MY collection."
Document Exhibit #03
Trait Ransom Note Data Suspect Analysis Letter Slant Vertical (90°) Match
No Match
|
| Word Spacing | Abnormal Wide Gaps |
Match
No Match
|
Forensic Verdict:
Teacher Guide: Biometric Key
Fingerprint Solution
The recovered print is a Whorl . Coach Miller is the only suspect with a standard Whorl. Ian has a Double Whorl, which is a common distractor but does not match the recovered latent print.
Handwriting Solution
The ransom note matches Coach Miller's habits. Miller uses vertical positioning and wide word spacing . Contrast this with Peters (right-slant script) and Carl (all-caps blocks).
Confidential Answer Key // Case SOL-042-P
Suspect Interview Transcripts Interview Logs
Forensic Division / Case 042
Confidential
Subject: Coach Miller
Miller: I use a thermos, keeps it hot. Look, the Principal wanted to sell the trophy due to budget cuts. Selling our history? I wouldn't stand for it. I was in the gym late checking the nets... it was locked when I left at 10.
Subject: Custodian Carl
Carl: I saw a shadow at midnight. Tall, moving quick. I heard the squeak of sneakers, not heavy boots like mine. Gym floors talk, and they were screaming. I was buffing the East wing floors all night.
Subject: Principal Peters
Peters: I was working on spreadsheets until 9:00 PM. Liquidating the trophies was a possibility to save the music program, but Coach Miller was very vocal about stopping me. He knocked over my pen when I told him.
Subject: Secretary Sarah
Sarah: Just filing late. That trophy case is massive and tacky; it blocks the hallway flow. I told the board we should replace it with a sleek digital screen. Much more modern, don't you think? It's just a waste of space.
Subject: IT Ian
Ian: Testing Wi-Fi dead zones. The gym office is like a lead bunker. It's frustrating that we spend thousands on "Golden Whistles" while the computer lab is still running hardware from 2018. Someone needed to take it down.
Detective's Motive Log
Synthesize alibis and motives. Who had the means and the reason?
Miller
Carl
Peters
Sarah
Ian
Teacher Guide: Interview Key
Suspect Primary Motive Analysis Miller High motive: Protection of school history. Disagrees with Principal. Alibi ends early (10 PM). Carl Neutral witness: Saw the "shadow" (Miller). Provides clues about sneaker squeaks. Peters Bureaucratic: Wants to sell it to help music program, but wouldn't steal it as she controls the sale. Sarah Spatial: Wants it out of the hallway. Tries to frame it as "Tacky." Weak motive for theft. Ian Resentment: Believes budget should be for tech. Strong motive for sabotage.
SOL-042-TRANSCRIPT-KEY
Chromatography Slides Lab Results Analysis
Ink Trails
Analyzing the 5-Suspect Sample Set
The Chemical Evidence
Manufacturers use secret "recipes" for ink. We have collected 6 total samples (Evidence + 5 Suspects) for comparative analysis.
The Goal:
Identify the suspect pen that shares the exact same pigment ladder as the ransom note.
Pen Catalog:
#3A Ransom Note (Evidence)
#3B Coach Miller (Blue Ballpoint)
#3C Custodian Carl (Black Marker)
#3D Principal Peters (Fountain Pen)
#3E Secretary Sarah (Glitter Pen)
#3F IT Ian (Tech Stylus Pen)
Teacher Resource: Lesson 3
Matching Logic
The ransom note ink is a specific "Blue + Yellow" pigment blend. Miller is the only suspect pen with this specific separation. distractors include Sarah (Pink) and Ian (Gray/Blue blend).
Student Scaffolding
Ask: "Why does the blue color travel higher than the yellow?" Answer: Solubility and molecular size. The pigments are separated by the water solvent.
The Verdict Reveal
Students should finalize their 'Hypothesis Update' on the report before opening the lab file results. This reinforces the scientific method.
Lab Results Report Chemical Analysis Report
Department of Forensics / Lab File #042-C
Detective:
Squad ID:
Hypothesis Update
Based on shoe size and fingerprinting, who are your top suspects? Justify your choice.
Laboratory Scans: Pigment Ladders
Note
Miller
Carl
Peters
Sarah
Ian
Comparative Data Matrix
Sample Source Pigment Colors (Order: Low to High) Identical? Ransom Note Blue, then Yellow -- Miller Carl Peters Sarah Ian
Final Chemical Conclusion:
Justify your choice with evidence from the pigment scan heights.
Teacher Guide: Lab Key
Confirmed Match: Miller
The Ransom Note and Coach Miller's Pen share an identical pigment recipe: a core blue base and a bright yellow top pigment. Both also share identical travel heights (Rf values). Other pens use different solvent bases (Marker, Fountain, Glitter) which produce vastly different color ladders.
SOL-042-LAB-KEY
Final Verdict Slides Case #042
Case Closed
The Final Verdict
Connecting the Dots
SCENE
Large footprints (Size 11) were found near the forced lock. Spilled coffee suggests a late-night presence.
PHYSICAL
A "Whorl" pattern print was recovered from the trophy case. The ransom note had wide word spacing.
CHEMICAL
Ink analysis shows the note was written with a blue ballpoint pen containing specific yellow pigments.
Missing Link: The Why
Recovered Diary Entry:
"If the budget cuts happen, the trophy will be sold. I can't let them take it. It belongs in a safe place. MY safe place."
WHO HAD THE MOST TO LOSE?
MOTIVE?
Submit Your Verdict
Work in Trios
Check Proof
Make Accusation
"In forensics, there are no opinions. Only facts."
Accusation Form Worksheet Top Secret
Final Accusation Form
Forensic Division / Case #042
Agent 1
Agent 2
Agent 3
Primary Suspect
We officially charge the following individual with Grand Larceny:
Suspect Identity
Case Evidence Matrix
1. Physical & Biometric Clues
Cite shoe size and fingerprint patterns.
2. Laboratory Analysis
Cite specific chromatography ladder results.
3. Narrative Motive
Why did this suspect decide to steal the trophy?
I certify that our investigation was conducted with integrity and scientific precision.
Lead Detective Signature
Teacher Guide: Final Verdict
Grading Criteria:
Identification: Must correctly identify Coach Miller.Triangulation: Must cite at least 3 distinct types of evidence (Shoe Size 11, Whorl Print, Blue/Yellow Ink).Motive: Must mention the budget cuts/protection of school legacy.
Synthesis Tip:
Encourage students to use the term "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt." Discuss if any of the other suspects could still be guilty based on the physical clues (No, Miller is the only one who matches all criteria).
SOL-042-ASSESSMENT-KEY
Case Solution Key Case #042: Solution File
CONFIDENTIAL: 5-SUSPECT VERDICT
The Culprit:
Coach Miller
Motive Summary
Miller stole the trophy to prevent it from being sold due to budget cuts. He intended to hide it until the budget was safe. Marker #1 (Size 11 shoe) narrowed the field to him alone. The Whorl print and Blue/Yellow ink ladder confirmed it.
Evidence Matrix
Footprints Size 11 (Miller only). Carl is 12, Ian is 10.
Fingerprints Whorl (Miller only). Ian has a Double Whorl.
Chemical Blue/Yellow Ladder matches Miller's pen.
Exclusionary Rationales:
Carl
Shoes size 12. Plain Arch print mismatch.
Peters
Size 8 shoe. Uses a fountain pen.
Sarah
Pink glitter ink. Size 7 shoe mismatch.
Ian
Double Whorl. Size 10 shoe mismatch.
Forensic Triangulation
Highlight that motive made everyone a suspect, but only physical data provides the conviction. Discuss "Red Herrings" like Sarah's late-night filing.
Miller's shoe size (11) was the first clue. Students who missed it might have struggled with the other 4 suspects until the ink analysis on Day 3.
