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Netflix Documentary
Making a Murderer

10 Week Case Study Assignment Packet

Suggested Lesson Plan
During this case study, I have “Forensic Friday” where we watch an episode of the documentary. However, this also works well as an end of the year
study that can be condensed into 10-15 days depending on the time of your class periods. Either way, your students are sure to enjoy this case.

Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5:

Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5

Episode Evidence and Silent Making a Important

Questions Character List Conversation Murder Word Terms and
Class Blogging Search Definitions
Assignment Sheet

Week 6: Week 7: Week 8: Week 9: Week 10:

Episode 6 Episode 7 Episode 8 Episode 9 Episode 10
Making a Viewing Guide Influential Making a Doodle Notes
Murder Questions Characters Murder Puzzle Review
Crossword Maze (scissors and
Puzzle glue needed)

Making a Murder: Final Project and Presentations:

3 days for project creation
2 days for student presentations
© The Trendy Science Teacher
Teacher Notes

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Case Study

Although this case study involves many concepts

taught in a typical Forensics or Intro to Law class,
there are some parts that I have deemed as
INNAPROPRIATE content/terminology for a high school
Forensics class.

I have included a permission form that I require that

my students return before watching the
documentary, but I still use discretion when showing
content in class. While most episodes are appropriate
in their entirety, some do contain foul language. Be
sure to view EVERY episode before showing to your
class. You know what is appropriate/inappropriate for
your students, but I feel the need to forewarn you! ☺

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Permission Form

© The Trendy Science Teacher

 Netflix Documentary Parental Permission Form

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Between the dates of ___________________, we will be viewing episodes of the Netflix

Documentary Making a Murder. This documentary contains some foul language and content
related to the rape and murder of two victims. This documentary is aligned to the standards
for your child’s ______________ class and relates to content that has (or will be) taught in class.
As the instructor, I have previewed the documentary and will not show the portion(s) of this
documentary that I deem to be inappropriate.

Please feel free to call me with any questions or concerns you may have regarding the
viewing of this documentary.
Please sign the form below, indicating whether your child may view or may not view this case
study. (Alternative lessons will be given to students who may not view this documentary.) The
student needs to return this signed form before viewing the documentary. Only students who
have a signed permission form will be permitted to view this documentary.

I, ______________________________________, do give/do not give [circle one] my permission for

(Parent/Guardian Name)
________________________________________ to watch the documentary listed on this form.
(Student’s Name)

_________________________________________________________ __________________________
(Signature) (Date)
 Episode
Assignments

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Directions: As the documentary plays, answer the following questions. Season 1; Episode 1

1. How would you describe the town’s perception of Steven Avery?

2. What crime was he accused of (involving Penny Beerntsen)?

3. Investigators showed Penny Beerntsen a composite sketch of Steven Avery and she positively
identified him as her attacker. What was the problem with this sketch?

4. Who actually raped Penny Beerntsen?

5. What was Steven Avery’s alibi for the date/time of the assault?

6. What was Steven Avery’s sentence for the assault of Penny Beerntsen?

7. What evidence did the Innocence Project use to exonerate Steven Avery?

8. Do you believe the Manitowoc County sheriff ’s department should be held responsible for Steven
Avery’s false conviction?

9. At the end of episode 1, a dispatcher states that there is “no body,” but verifies that Steven Avery
is “in custody.” What do you predict will happen next?

10. What are your thoughts on the Steven Avery case thus far? Do you side with Steven Avery or the
Manitowoc County Sheriff ’s Dept.?

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Season 1; Episode 2

Teacher’s Note:

In today’s episode, have the students begin the

Character & Evidence List. Students should keep an
ongoing list of important evidence and influential
people in the case. Be sure to copy the Character and
Evidence List front/back- as students will need plenty
of space to list these characters and pieces of
evidence. This part of the assignment is crucial for
the final project, so be sure to remind your students
to keep a running list of characters & evidence for
each episode in the documentary.

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Character List
For each episode, complete the character list and record each character’s
involvement in the case.
Season 1; Episodes 1-10

Character Involvement in Case

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Evidence List
Directions: For each episode, add key evidence to the table below.
Season 1; Episodes 1-10
Evidence Supports Defense (Avery) Supports Prosecution

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Season 1; Episode 3

Teacher Notes:
You have some options for today’s episode assignment. You
could issue the questions to your students and have them
answer them or…

You could set up an online blog (I recommend Edublogs or

Google Classroom) for your students to participate in during
the episode. I have my student have a silent conversation via
our Google Classroom page. By requiring them to answer the
questions through G.C., each can see and comment on what
other’s in the class are thinking. This is one of my favorite
assignments because the students really begin to bring out
some good points and other students begin to argue against
those points. ☺

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Directions: As the documentary plays, answer the following questions. Season 1; Episode 3

Discussion Question #1: What are your thoughts on the Steven Avery case as it
pertains to the murder of Teresa Halbach?

Discussion Question #2: Steven Avery was awarded $400,000 for his wrongful
conviction in the Penny Bernsteen case. Do you feel this compensation is
sufficient? Why or why not?

Discussion Question #3: Do the details provided by Steven's nephew, Brendan

Dassey, change your opinion of the case? If so, how?

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Word Search
Directions: Highlight the words that you find from the word bank. Season 1; Episode 4
ATTORNEY
AVERY
BRENDAN
CASE
CHAIN
CIRCUMSTANTIAL
COHERSION
CONFESSION
CONVICTION
COURT
CUSTODY
DNA
FOUL
GUILTY
ILLNESS
INDEFENSIBLE
INNOCENT
INTERROGATION
KEYS
LEGAL
MANITOWOC
MENTAL
MURDER
PHONE
PLAY
RECORDS
SALVAGE
SHERIFF
SKETCH
STATEMENTS
YARD
© The Trendy Science Teacher
Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Directions: As the episode plays, write the definition for each term below. Season 1; Episode 5

Homicide Appeal

Assailant Bail

Burden of
Bloodstain
proof

Coercion Counsel

Prosecution Dismember

District Formal
attorney charge

Indictment Victim

Interrogate Judge

Jury Defense

Civil lawsuit Mutilation

© The Trendy Science Teacher
Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Directions: As the documentary plays, answer the following questions. Season 1; Episode 6

Across:
3. What is the first name of Mr. Avery’s
accused accomplice?

5. Dr. Leslie Eisenberg, a forensic

anthropologist, was called as an expert witness
in the case. What evidence did she analyze?

6. Was the mattress in Steven Avery’s home

checked for DNA?

Down:
1. What evidence was found in Steven Avery's
garage that was a match to a rifle found in his
home?

2. In this episode, what piece of evidence does

the defense prove contaminated?

4. After how many months did investigators

return to Steven Avery’s house for a
“search?” (this will be answered in the first
few minutes of the episode)

© The Trendy Science Teacher

 Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Season 1; Episode 7
Directions: As the documentary plays, answer the following questions.

1. At the beginning of the episode, the defense attorney questions the Lieutenant that processed
the crime scene on November 8th. What piece of evidence is he being questioned about?

2. What is the significance of the key?

3. When Stg. Colburn is questioned, what does he say about the accusations that he planted blood
and a key at the scene?

4. It is vital that investigators secure a crime scene and make note of everyone that enters and
exits the crime scene. What inconsistencies about the security of the crime scene are uncovered
by the defense attorney?

5. EDTA is a chemical that is added to blood vials to keep blood from coagulating. What did the
results of the EDTA test show?

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Season 1; Episode 8

START

answer until you each the finish line.

Directions: As you watch today’s episode, complete this “key players” maze by highlighting the correct
One of two lawyers
in Avery's defense Victim of a sexual
Steven Avery team, a respected Mark Halbach Gregory Allen assault and
Wisconsin man Wisconsin attorney, lead investigator attempted murder
was accused of whose thoughtful in Halbach in 1985 for which
rape in 1985 and and determined Steven Avery was
Charles Manson approach has made
murder trial Tom Fassbender
was imprisoned for Gregory Allen wrongfully
him an overnight
18 years for the convicted
internet hero
crime

Brendan Dassey
Brendan Dassey

Penny Beerntsen
Donald Palmer

Allan Avery
Dean Strang
Dean Strang

Gail Avery
25-year-old sheriff of
Tom Kocourek Gregory Allen Avery's nephew, Tom Kocourek
freelance Manitowoc County
for more than 20 convicted of Steven Avery's
photographer assisting Avery mother
years
Ken Kratz Gene Kusche in Halbach's Denis Vogle
murder
Teresa Halbach

Teresa Halbach

Dolores Avery
Steven Avery
Judy Dvorak

Judy Dvorak

April Avery
James Lenk
a notorious sexual
predator, was
under suspicion for a Steven Avery
DNA expert at the State
Crime Lab. Examined a
bullet eventually found
Sherry Culhane
Sheriff that became
aware of evidence
during the 1990s that Gene Kusche
FINISH
number of sex crimes Avery did not commit

D
under an air compressor
in Manitowoc back in in Avery's garage. the 1985 rape and
the summer of 1985. However, the DNA test ignoring the
He was eventually Gregory Allen administered by Culhane information, while
Mark Halbach
Name:

Pamela Sturm
convicted of the rape included a contaminated
Avery remained in
of Penny Beerntsen. control sample.
prison
© The Trendy Science Teacher
Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Season 1; Episode 9

Last name of victim

© The Trendy Science Teacher

 Last name of Questioning of
Last name of victim Accused accomplice those involved in case

Dassey interview
Halbach

Number of times
Interviewers called 75
witness
Closing arguments
Dassey a liar

attorneys
Ending remarks from
An “observer” of a crime
Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Directions: As the documentary plays, answer the following questions. Season 1; Episode 10

Teacher Notes:
For this episode assignment, have your students
complete and color the Doodle Notes page. This will
be a great way to summarize the overview of what’s
taking place in the case study.

© The Trendy Science Teacher

 Making of a Murderer doodle timeline
Season 1; Episode 10

Steven Avery

Steven Avery is
sues for
D
arrested and
charged

$
with murder

N
____________
goes missing A
© The Trendy Science Teacher
Summarizing
Project
Making a Murderer
Final Project Teacher Notes
At the end of the documentary, I issue each student the
graded assignments from each episode. The students
will need this information (as well as access to the
internet) to complete the Google Slide Project
Presentation.

Objective: Students will determine what they believe to

be the answer to the question Should Steven Avery have
been convicted of the murder of Teresa Halbach?

They will showcase their decision in the form of a Google

Slideshow and present their findings to the class. Please
use the editable rubric and project outline and make
changes as needed for your classroom needs.
© The Trendy Science Teacher
Answer
Keys

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Viewing Guide Season 1; Episode 1

Directions: As the documentary plays, answer the following questions.

1. How would you describe the town’s perception of Steven Avery? He was not highly admired, he was seen
as “dirty and a criminal”

2. What crime was he accused of (involving Penny Beerntsen)? Rape

3. Investigators showed Penny Beerntsen a composite sketch of Steven Avery and she positively identified
him as her attacker. What was the problem with this sketch? Victims should not be shown “swaying” photos
prior to descriptions, so as not to create biased sketches.

4. Who actually raped Penny Beerntsen? Gregory Allen

5. What was Steven Avery’s alibi for the date/time of the assault? He went a series of places with his family

6. What was Steven Avery’s sentence for the assault of Penny Beerntsen? 32 years- only served 18 years

7. What evidence did the Innocence Project use to exonerate Steven Avery? DNA evidence

8. Do you believe the Manitowoc County sheriff ’s department should be held responsible for Steven Avery’s
false conviction? Answers will vary

9. At the end of episode 1, a dispatcher states that there is “no body,” but verifies that Steven Avery is “in
custody.” What do you predict will happen next? Answers will vary

10. What are your thoughts on the Steven Avery case thus far? Do you side with Steven Avery or the
Manitowoc County Sheriff ’s Dept.? Answers will vary

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Word Search
Directions: Highlight the words that you find from the word bank. Season 1; Episode 4
ATTORNEY
AVERY
BRENDAN
CASE
CHAIN
CIRCUMSTANTIAL
COHERSION
CONFESSION
CONVICTION
COURT
CUSTODY
DNA
FOUL
GUILTY
ILLNESS
INDEFENSIBLE
INNOCENT
INTERROGATION
KEYS
LEGAL
MANITOWOC
MENTAL
MURDER
PHONE
PLAY
RECORDS
SALVAGE
SHERIFF
SKETCH
STATEMENTS
YARD
© The Trendy Science Teacher
29
Making a Murderer Viewing Guide
Directions: As the documentary plays, answer the following questions. Season 1; Episode 6

Across:
S D 3. What is the first name of Mr. Avery’s
accused accomplice?
H N
5. Dr. Leslie Eisenberg, a forensic
B R E N D A N anthropologist, was called as an expert witness
in the case. What evidence did she analyze?
L
6. Was the mattress in Steven Avery’s home
L checked for DNA?
C
F A Down:
1. What evidence was found in Steven Avery's
B O N E S garage that was a match to a rifle found in his
home?
U I
2. In this episode, what piece of evidence does
R N O the defense prove contaminated?
G 4. After how many months did investigators
return to Steven Avery’s house for a
“search?” (this will be answered in the first
few minutes of the episode)

© The Trendy Science Teacher

 Making a Murderer Assignment
Directions: As the documentary plays, answer the following questions.
Season 1; Episode 7

1. At the beginning of the episode, the defense attorney questions the Lieutenant that processed
the crime scene on November 8th. What piece of evidence is he being questioned about? The
planting of the evidence (specifically the key)

2. What is the significance of the key? It contained DNA from Steven Avery; however, it belonged
to Teresa Halbauch

3. When Stg. Colburn is questioned, what does he say about the accusations that he planted blood
and a key at the scene? He denies planting the blood and key

4. It is vital that investigators secure a crime scene and make note of everyone that enters and exits
the crime scene. What inconsistencies about the security of the crime scene are uncovered by the
defense attorney? They discover that a crime scene log was not kept on November 8th, they also
did not keep consistent logs.

5. EDTA is a chemical that is added to blood vials to keep blood from coagulating. What did the
results of the EDTA test show? That they blood from Teresa Halbauch’s car did not come from the
vial of blood from the Penny Beerntsen case kit.

© The Trendy Science Teacher

Making a Murderer Assignment
Season 1; Episode 8

START

answer until you each the finish line.

Directions: As you watch today’s episode, complete this “key players” maze by highlighting the correct
One of two lawyers
in Avery's defense Victim of a sexual
Steven Avery team, a respected Mark Halbach Gregory Allen assault and
Wisconsin man was Wisconsin attorney, lead investigator attempted murder
whose thoughtful in Halbach in 1985 for which
accused of rape in and determined
1985 and was murder trial Steven Avery was
Charles Manson approach has made Gregory Allen Tom Fassbender
wrongfully
imprisoned for 18 him an overnight
years for the crime convicted
internet hero

Brendan Dassey
Brendan Dassey

Penny Beerntsen
Donald Palmer

Allan Avery
Dean Strang
Dean Strang

Gail Avery
25-year-old sheriff of
Tom Kocourek Gregory Allen Avery's nephew, Tom Kocourek
freelance Manitowoc County
for more than 20 convicted of Steven Avery's
photographer assisting Avery mother
years
Ken Kratz Gene Kusche in Halbach's Denis Vogle
murder
Teresa Halbach

Teresa Halbach

Dolores Avery
Steven Avery
Judy Dvorak

Judy Dvorak

April Avery
James Lenk
a notorious sexual
predator, was
under suspicion for a Steven Avery
DNA expert at the State
Crime Lab. Examined a
bullet eventually found
Sherry Culhane
Sheriff that became
aware of evidence
during the 1990s that Gene Kusche
FINISH
number of sex crimes Avery did not commit

D
under an air compressor
in Manitowoc back in in Avery's garage. the 1985 rape and
the summer of 1985. However, the DNA test ignoring the
He was eventually Gregory Allen administered by Culhane information, while
Mark Halbach
Name:

Pamela Sturm
convicted of the rape included a contaminated
Avery remained in
of Penny Beerntsen. control sample.
prison
© The Trendy Science Teacher
Making a Murderer Assignment
Season 1; Episode 9

Last name of victim

Halbach

Questioning of Last name of

those involved in case Accused accomplice
interview Dassey

Number of times
Interviewers called
Dassey a liar An “observer” of a crime Closing arguments
75 witness Ending remarks from
attorneys

© The Trendy Science Teacher

 Making of a Murderer doodle timeline
Season 1; Episode 10

Steven Avery

Steven Avery is

D
arrested and
charged sues for
with murder
$36 mil
N
____________
Teresa Halbach
goes missing A
© The Trendy Science Teacher
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