Scene of the crimeWhat has happened?

Note down all your observations and

evidence

What is your hypothesis? What do you think has happened? Make sure you use the evidence to make your

initial hunch.

Forensic examination of the scene showed the following:

• Fingerprints belonging to Ian Truder were found on the window and on the kitchen worktop.

• Fingerprints belonging to Michael Sting were found on the kitchen worktop and on the knife.

• Fingerprints belonging to Justin Time were found on the window.

• Fingerprints belonging to Tina Sting were found on the window, on the knife and on the kitchen worktop.

• A bloody footprint of a size 10 trainer was found on the kitchen floor.

• Skin samples were found on the window, the worktop and on Mrs Sting’s body.

• Ink from the rolled-up magazine was found on the wasp and on the window.

DNA analysis of all blood and skin samples has not yet been completed.

At 14.20 hours, the ambulance service requested police presence at 141 Winning Lane, the

site of a suspicious death. Upon arrival at the scene, the victim, Mrs Tina Sting, was lying

on the kitchen floor.

An eyewitness, Mrs Rosy Parker of 138 Winning Lane, reported that she had seen the

following events from her window:

• Michael Sting left the house at 13.15 hours.

• A young man, fitting the description of Ian Truder approached the rear of the house at 13.40

hours and was then seen running from the house at 13.50 hours.

• The postman, confirmed as being Mr Justin Time, approached the front door, but then

walked to the back of the house at 14.10 hours, carrying a parcel.

• Fifteen minutes later, an ambulance arrived, shortly followed by the police.

What happened?

Who was the victim?

What were the ambulance called to?

Which three people were in or near the house?

Where was the victim found?

Who was the eyewitness and where did she live?

What is your hypothesis? What do you think has happened? Make sure you use the evidence to make your

initial hunch.

Question 1

What has been killed?

a white, male 55 year old

A white, male 45 year old

A white, female 45 year old

A white, female 55 year old

The victim

Question 2

What evidence was not found on the kitchen floor?

A bloody knife Footprint

Rolled up newspaper

Question 3

What was found near the window?

water wasp

Fragment of material

knife

Question 4

Who was the eyewitness?

To Tina Sting Ian Truder

Justin TimeRosy Parker

Question 5

Which word describes what we have found at the crime scene?

Evidence Opinion

HypothesisHeresay

Question 6

Who do you think did it?

Ian Truder Justin Time

None of the above

Michael Sting

• The Police removed a lot of evidence from the crime scene – but much of it was circumstantial.

• Circumstantial evidence links indirectly to the crime. There is no firm basis and it is rare that you would be able to convict someone with only this type of evidence.

• Factual evidence links the suspect to the crime scene directly.

Think, Pair, Share…

1. Look at the remaining evidence and witness statements.

2. Complete the summary table.

3. Make a decision about what happened and who was involved. Be prepared to discuss the factual and circumstantial evidence that was found.

Vocabulary Suggestions

circumstantial

DNA

evidence

factual

hypothesis

opinion

suspicious

witness

Report back

In this report back, you must give the evidence for and against one of the suspects. Each member of the group will have one suspect to think about.

You must say:

• How you think this suspect may have caused the suspicious death?

• What evidence is for and against this suspect?

• Whether the evidence is circumstantial or factual?

Extension: Say whether you think there is enough evidence to secure a conviction in court.

What do you think of your partners work? Has not provided enough evidence in support of or against the suspect.

Has provided evidence in support of and against the suspect BUT has not said whether it is circumstantial or factual.

Has provided evidence in support of and against the suspect and provided information on whether it is circumstantial or factual.

Sentence openers to help you…

• My hypothesis is…

• The evidence in support of…

• The evidence against…

• The following evidence is factual…

• This evidence is circumstantial…

The victim was preparing meat with a sharp knife (blood on knife not human!), she hit a wasp with a folded newspaper, the window smashed and she cut herself on the glass. As she had climbed on to the work top to reach the wasp at the top of

the window, after she swatted it and cut herself she lost her balance and fell backwards onto the floor, breaking her neck. No one is guilty – accidental death

was recorded by the coroner.

So, after the debate…

What does your group think?