Student Led Case Instructions

Working in your pod group you will create a mock crime scene for another group to solve. It is
very important that you only share case information within your pod because groups will be
randomly selected to solve your case and you do not want them to already know the answers!
You will have two full classes to work on it (and extra work periods if time allows).

Each group will:

1. Create a mock crime scene with 3 pieces of evidence. You can use class resources or items
from home in order to create your evidence. Your options are:
● Handwriting
● Fingerprints
● Footprints
● Hair
● Fabric
● Witness accounts
● Composite drawings

2. Write up a “scene story” on the basics of the crime. This should tell the group the basic story
and facts of the case as well as the available evidence.
● For example: “At 1 am, the local 7-11 slurpee machine burst into flames and
firefighters rushed to the scene. Only the cashier witnessed the event and provided
us with an account. They mentioned enough features to create a composite drawing
of the suspect. The detectives also found a note with the message: “Save the
children from sugary drinks” written on it.

● As you can see, I mentioned the 3 types of evidence in my scene story (witness
account, composite drawing, and handwriting sample)
3. Write up 3 suspects for the group solving to choose from. This should include:
● Characteristics that connect to the evidence (ex. If you are looking at footprints then
you should list the shoe size and type of your suspects).
● A photo or drawing of each suspect
● A name and description of previous crimes (if applicable)
4. Create an answers sheet which clearly outlines the culprit of the case. This will be given to
Teacher D and shown to the other group once they have submitted their final answer.

5. Set up your mock crime scene on Monday, December 6. Another group must be able to solve
it without asking you any further questions!

6. Optional bonus: add extra design features to your crime. For example, crime scene tape!
 Checklist for Student Led Case

Please complete this as a team and return to Teacher D prior to December 6.

We created a mock crime scene with 3 unique pieces of evidence. Yes or No

We wrote up a “scene story” on the basics of the crime. This told the basic story and facts of Yes or No
the case as well as the available evidence.

We wrote up 3 suspects for the other group to determine a culprit from. Each description Yes or No
included a name, drawing/photo, connections to evidence and description of previous crimes
for the suspect.

Each piece of evidence connects to the witness characteristics we created. Yes or No

We created an answers sheet which clearly outlines the culprit, how they did it, and what Yes or No
pieces of evidence made it clear they were guilty.

We used our class time wisely and handed in the project on time. Yes or No

We used our creativity to make a unique crime scene and a visually pleasing final design. Yes or No

We are ready to set up the mock crime scene on December 6, and have printed everything off Yes or No
that we need.

We did the bonus by adding extra design features to our crime scene (ex. crime scene tape) Yes or No
 *Students were asked to assess themselves and were assessed by Teacher D
using this rubric*
Rubric for Student Led Case

1 points 2 points 3 points 4 points

Proof of Created 3 pieces of Created 3 pieces of Created 3 pieces of Created 3 pieces of

evidence evidence which evidence which evidence which clearly evidence which
connect to each connect to each connected to each clearly connected to
suspect. The suspect. The suspect. The description each suspect. The
description of description of evidence of evidence shows a description of
/4 evidence shows a shows some good understanding of evidence shows an
limited understanding understanding of the the material covered in excellent
of the material material covered in class. understanding of the
covered in class. class. material covered in
class.

Scene story By reading the scene By reading the scene By reading the scene By reading the scene
story, one has a hard story, one is able to story, one is able to story, one is able to
time understanding the somewhat understand mostly understand the 3 completely understand
3 pieces of evidence, the 3 pieces of pieces of evidence, basic the 3 pieces of
basic facts, and story evidence, basic facts, facts, and story evidence, basic facts,
/4 associated with the and story associated associated with the and story associated
crime. with the crime. crime. with the crime.

Suspects Provided poor suspect Provided decent Provided good suspect Provided excellent
descriptions which suspect descriptions descriptions which suspect descriptions
were missing one of which included their included their name, which included their
the expected pieces of name, drawing/photo, drawing/photo, name, drawing/photo,
information. connections to connections to evidence connections to
/4 evidence and and description of evidence and
description of previous previous crimes for the description of
crimes for the suspect. suspect. previous crimes for
the suspect.

Answers The answers sheet is The answers sheet The answers sheet fully The answers sheet
sheet difficult to understand somewhat outlines the outlines the culprit, how fully outlines the
but attempts to outline culprit, how they did it, they did it, and what culprit, how they did
the culprit, how they and what pieces of pieces of evidence made it, and what pieces of
did it, and what pieces evidence made it clear it clear they were guilty. evidence made it clear
/4 of evidence made it they were guilty. they were guilty. It is
clear they were guilty. also well organized for
the reader.
Final The written parts of The written parts of the The written parts of the The written parts of
written the crime scene are crime scene are crime scene are edited the crime scene are
work not edited and the somewhat edited and and only a few simple very well edited and
information is difficult several (written or (written or editing) are no (written or editing)
to read/understand. editing) errors can be noticeable. errors can be seen.
/4 noticed.

Visuals and Demonstrated limited Demonstrated some Demonstrated a good Demonstrated extra
organization effort in regard to effort in regard to amount of effort in effort in regard to
visuals and visuals and regard to visuals and visuals and
organization of the organization of the organization of the organization of the
/4 crime scene. crime scene. crime scene. crime scene.