Think like a scientist!
In order to be able to solve any crime, you will need to be able to use different ways of thinking. Let's do this activity to learn about inferring, predicting and observing.
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The following information comes from: Schultz, Karen. Crime Scene Detectives. Prufrock Press, 2006, pp 8-10.
There are several things that police routinely do at a crime scene. The typical procedures are:
Evidence is anything that helps prove the guilt or innocence of a person suspected of a crime. There are two types of evidence- direct and circumstantial.
When police acquire evidence at a crime scene they follow certain procedures to make sure that the evidence is preserved and documented. They typically do the following things. Police must be able to prove that evidence was always in their possession.
There are several things that police routinely do at a crime scene. The typical procedures are:
- check the victim
- secure the area
- document the area
- photograph, sketch or videotape the crime scene
- take measurements
- photograph, sketch or videotape the crime scene
Evidence is anything that helps prove the guilt or innocence of a person suspected of a crime. There are two types of evidence- direct and circumstantial.
- Direct evidence: This is something that proves the fact without a doubt. Examples are having an eye-witness to the crime or a videotape of the crime being committed.
- Circumstantial evidence: In contrast, circumstantial evidence provides supporting facts to establish the truth through indirect means. An example would be if a suspect recently bought the same type of poison as was used in the crime.
When police acquire evidence at a crime scene they follow certain procedures to make sure that the evidence is preserved and documented. They typically do the following things. Police must be able to prove that evidence was always in their possession.
- Each possible piece of evidence collected is put in its own container. The container is sealed and labelled.
- The label indicates where and when it was found and is initialed by the officer who found it.
- The evidence is send to the crime lab.
Work together to learn how to solve the crime by playing the game: Take the Case: Chain of Evidence
The mystery
Taken from Mary Ann Carr's The Great Chocolate Caper, Prufrock Press, 2011.
Reginald Van Feisty, owner of the world-famous chocolate factory Dutch Delight Chocolates, is excited over his brand new recipe for chocolate. But before he can manufacture even the first chocolate bar, the recipe is stolen! You are tasked with the responsibility of determining who stole the recipe and why.
Reginald Van Feisty, owner of the world-famous chocolate factory Dutch Delight Chocolates, is excited over his brand new recipe for chocolate. But before he can manufacture even the first chocolate bar, the recipe is stolen! You are tasked with the responsibility of determining who stole the recipe and why.
Skills you will use:
In solving this mystery, you will:
- develop skills in making valid assumptions
- differentiate between valid and invalid assumptions
- differentiate between valid conclusions and dangerous generalizations
- use syllogisms to reach valid conclusions
- recognize false premises
- solve matrix logic puzzles
- decode a secret message
- solve table or position logic problems.