📂 Case File
The school trophy was discovered missing after classes. CCTV captured a hooded figure in the corridor near the trophy room at 5:46 PM. A power flicker happened shortly after at 5:50 PM. Several physical traces were found near the trophy case.
Goal for students: use timelines, physical evidence, and puzzle solutions to identify the most likely suspect. Encourage evidence-based reasoning.
🕵️ Suspects (with verified details)
Ton — Star Football Player
Alibi: On the football field 5:10–6:15 PM.
Verified by: Coach's attendance sheet and teammates.
Note: Mud print at scene is shoe size 37; Ton wears 43. Cleared
Nok — Top Library Student
Alibi: Library 5:35–6:00 PM.
Verified by: Librarian stamp (5:58) and library CCTV.
Note: Red notebook contains reading-contest notes. Cleared
Mali — Class Monitor
Alibi: Cleaning classrooms 5:30–6:00 PM (radio check-ins at 5:36 & 5:52).
Verified by: Custodian logs & student witnesses.
Note: Clipboard page near trophy room = duty roster. Cleared
Ploy — Basketball Player
Alibi: Practice 5:15–6:00 PM; team photo at 5:46 confirms presence.
Note: Mud trail is size 37 while Ploy wears 40. Cleared
Bank — Storage Helper
Alibi: Inventory work in storage until 6:05 PM.
Verified by: Inventory app scans at 5:42, 5:49, 6:03 (geotagged).
Note: Fingerprints on case are old; dust under prints. Cleared
Game — Canteen Assistant
Alibi: Serving in canteen 5:30–6:00 PM (manager log).
Problem: Manager confirms Game was absent 5:40–5:50 PM for restocking.
Key link: Tray labeled G-12 appears on hallway CCTV at 5:46 PM near the trophy room. Only suspect with opportunity
🔎 Locations & Clues
- Hallway CCTV (5:46 PM): Hooded figure passes trophy room carrying a metal tray with sticker G-12. Strong
- Trophy case residue: Fine white powder consistent with cornstarch used on canteen gloves. Strong
- Breaker panel (canteen corridor): Oil smudges and recorded flicker at 5:50 PM. Strong
- Snack wrapper: Canteen stamp 17:42, brand sold only at canteen — found behind trophy case. Strong
- Football mud print: Size 37 → excludes Ton (size 43). Weak (exclusion)
- Gym mud trail: Size 37 → excludes Ploy (size 40). Weak (exclusion)
- Library notebook: Contest notes only. Weak (red herring)
- Clipboard page: Duty roster. Weak (red herring)
Hint: combine time + unique traces (tray label, cornstarch residue, canteen-only wrapper) to find who could have been in that corridor at 5:46–5:50 PM.
🕒 Timeline (with verifications)
- 5:10 — Ton signs in at practice (coach sheet).
- 5:15 — Ploy drills begin (gym sheet).
- 5:30 — Game on canteen duty (manager log).
- 5:35 — Mali radio check-in (custodian log).
- 5:40–5:50 — Game absent from canteen during restock (manager statement).
- 5:46 — CCTV shows tray G-12 outside trophy room.
- 5:50 — Power flicker recorded at breaker panel near canteen corridor.
- 5:58 — Librarian stamps Nok’s book (log + camera).
- 6:00 — Practices end; Ploy roll-call complete.
- 6:03 — Bank scans equipment in storage (inventory app).
- 6:10 — Trophy reported missing.
Conclusion from timeline: Only Game is unaccounted for at 5:46 while the tray G-12 passed the trophy corridor. The combination of timing and unique traces points to the canteen.
🧩 Puzzles (classroom activities)
- Riddle: I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can’t go outside. — (Answer: Keyboard) → points to library clue.
- Word Scramble: RPOHYT → TROPHY
- Cipher: A=1, B=2… Message decodes to: “Look at the tray.”
- Logic: Two suspects claimed to be together but camera timestamps contradict one of their claims — find which.
Use these to support or eliminate suspect theories. Puzzles are optional but helpful for weaker groups.
📸 Evidence Room
- CCTV still (5:46): Hooded figure with tray G-12 in corridor by trophy room.
- Residue test: White powder on case matches cornstarch used on canteen gloves.
- Breaker log: Flicker at 5:50; oily smudges typical of cooking areas on the nearby panel.
- Snack wrapper: Canteen stamp 17:42, brand sold only at canteen — found behind case.
- Shoe exclusions: Mud prints size 37 exclude Ton (43) and Ploy (40).
- Fingerprint note: Bank’s prints are under a dust layer → older contact, not theft-time prints.
Takeaway: time + place + canteen-specific traces point to Game.
💬 Interrogation Prompts
Use these in class to guide student questioning and focus on contradictions:
- Ask Ton: "Where were you at 5:45?" (Coach + teammates confirm field.)
- Ask Nok: "Why codes in your notebook?" (Contest prep; librarian backs her.)
- Ask Mali: "Why was your clipboard page near the trophy room?" (Duty roster — explained.)
- Ask Ploy: "Are the mud prints from your shoes?" (Shoe size mismatch.)
- Ask Bank: "When did you touch the trophy case?" (Older prints; inventory scans show he was in storage at the time.)
- Ask Game: "Where were you between 5:40–5:50?" "Why was tray G-12 near the trophy room?" "Why is a canteen wrapper behind the case?"
If students push Game on those questions, the gaps and physical traces should make the case logical and compelling.
📝 Submit Answer (student turn-in)
Students: Write a short detective report that includes: (1) suspect name, (2) three pieces of evidence from the game, and (3) your reasoning/timeline explanation.
You can collect their written responses for assessment. The teacher can optionally reveal the solution using the protected code below.
Teacher Reveal (protected)
Enter the teacher passcode to reveal the official solution. Keep this secret from students.