Murder in the Lab
A Game to teach evaluation for research.
Embedded Files
Use the SIFT method to help find clues.
🛑 Stop
Before reacting emotionally, pause and take a breath. Recognize when a headline or post is designed to trigger outrage or panic.
🔎 Investigate the Source
Don't merely rely on the "About Us" page. Open a new tab and Google the source's name plus words like "bias," "funding," or "reputation."
📰 Find Better Coverage
If a major claim is only being reported by one low-reputation source, it's likely false. Search for the claim on at least two unrelated, reputable news organizations.
🖼️ Trace Claims, Quotes, & Media
Don't assume context. Trace quotes, images (reverse search), and data back to their original document to ensure they haven't been edited or taken out of context.
Directions:
Read the Incident Briefing below, including both the LA Times and San Bernardino Sun articles.
Working with Evidence: One member of your group open the SIFT Evidence Log and share it with your entire group. Make sure each group member's name is on the document.
SIFT through each of the 12 items of evidence, filling out the SIFT chart for each item. Explain the relevance of each item to the crime.
After you have SIFT-ed through all the evidence, together, discuss who you think the perpetrator of the crime is and why. Fill out the last portion of the worksheet to name the perpetrator and explain your reasoning.
Game Incident Briefing
Game Incident Briefing
On Tuesday morning March 10th, 2026, the body of Librarian Mrs. Krohne was discovered in the Library MakerLab. She sustained a severe concussive blow to the head consistent with hitting a metal shelf, and a fatal puncture wound from scissors she was holding, which she fell upon.
Read LA Times Article Dated March 11th, 2026
Read San Bernardino Sun Article Dated March 17th, 2026
The primary suspects all had recent, intense conflicts with Mrs. Krohne:
Mr. Stewart (English Teacher): Former pupil of Mrs. Krohne. He was bitterly opposed her curriculum changes, seeing them as a "betrayal of literary history." Also feels she doesn't respect him professionally.
Mrs. Ford (Math Teacher): A close friend, but her horse Alora died tragically after Mrs. Krohne administered an unapproved "cure" in a misguided attempt to help. Mrs. Ford feels grief and betrayal.
Mr. Zamanis (Mock Trial Coach): Mrs. Krohne threatened to expose his past ethical breach (fabricated evidence) that led to a major Mock Trial trophy win.
Ms. Ray (Yearbook Advisor): Mrs. Krohne had imposed highly restrictive new policies, threatening to derail the yearbook's deadline and Ms. Ray's reputation.
Working with the Evidence
Working with the Evidence
One person in your group click on this link to make a copy of the SIFT Evidence Chart and type all your group's names at the top and Share the document with all group members.. You will be filling out this evidence log as a group for each item of evidence you analyze.
You will find the evidence log on this page.
Filling out the SIFT Evidence chart
Click on this link to see an evidence sample. Then look over the sample SIFT Evidence form table below to see how to fill out the worksheet with your group.
Click on this link to see an evidence sample. Then look over the sample SIFT Evidence form table below to see how to fill out the worksheet with your group.
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