Forensics: Crime Scene Detective — Case 1: Locked Office Murder

Case 1: The Locked Office Murder is the first full investigation in Forensics: Crime Scene Detective. A victim is found dead inside a locked office, and police initially suspect robbery. The evidence tells a different story involving poisoned drinks, a marble paperweight, a damaged smartwatch, and a deliberately staged locked room.

Initial Assessment

At first glance, the scene appears straightforward: a dead victim in a locked room. Do not accept the obvious theory. Move slowly through the office and examine every object methodically. The coffee mug, marble paperweight, office window, and victim's smartwatch are all critical pieces of evidence.

Crime Scene Evidence

The Coffee Mug

The coffee mug on the desk is especially important. Photograph it with an evidence marker, then dust the handle for fingerprints before packaging. Laboratory analysis links prints on the mug to the Graduate Assistant, placing them near a poisoned drink.

The Marble Paperweight

Nearby you will find a blood-covered marble paperweight. This becomes the primary murder weapon once DNA testing confirms the victim's blood. Secondary analysis reveals skin cells belonging to another individual, connecting a suspect to the weapon.

The Office Window

The window initially looks suspicious but its fingerprints ultimately lead nowhere. This is a deliberate misdirection — not every piece of evidence matters equally. Document it properly but do not let it distract from stronger leads.

The Damaged Smartwatch

Collect the victim's damaged smartwatch. It seems unimportant at first, but digital recovery provides the most damaging evidence: health monitoring data shows the victim died significantly later than the Graduate Assistant's statement claims, breaking their alibi.

Laboratory Analysis Priority

1. DNA test the paperweight — confirm victim blood, then run secondary skin cell analysis.
2. Fingerprint comparison on the coffee mug — match to Graduate Assistant.
3. Digital recovery on smartwatch — extract health timeline data.
4. Submit all findings via email for colleague evaluation.

The Locked Room Secret

The locked office seems impossible — nobody could have entered or escaped. Inspect the locking mechanism itself. Small scratches around the deadbolt reveal someone manipulated the lock from outside after leaving the room. The locked door was staged to suggest suicide or robbery, not to prevent entry.

Building the Case Board

Connect all four evidence nodes on the case board before submitting your final report. The investigation succeeds because dozens of smaller observations support one conclusion — not because of a single dramatic clue.