M. Diane Vogt - 60-Second Brain Teasers Crime Puzzles: Short Forensic Mysteries to Challenge Your Inner Amateur Detective

WHATS A CRIME PUZZLE?

A crime puzzle is a short, captivating crime story that lets you play the detective. After each condensed tale of greed, revenge, or just plain depravity, youll be faced with a difficult question related to the crime. Its up to you to crack the case using deductive reasoning and all the forensic details and clues in the story. The sixty-five crime puzzles that follow vary in terms of difficulty and are completely independent of one another. They can be done in any order, one at a time, or all in the same sitting. (If you find yourself addicted!)

HOW DO I SOLVE ONE?

First, read the crime story. As youre reading, look carefully for clues that might help you answer the puzzle question. Sometimes clues are hidden in a characters account of the crime, sometimes they manifest themselves as suspicious behavior and other times theyre located in a description of physical evidence. Be on the lookout for lies, as they are often an indication that someone is concealing their guilt. If youre stuck, try to visualize the crime as it must have occurred and check it against the physical evidence and first-hand accounts. Not every puzzle question will ask you to identify the guilty party: some will challenge you to uncover the criminals motive, determine cause of death, or explain how investigators nabbed the perpetrator.

DO I NEED A PENCIL OR PAPER?

No. The only tools you need are your keen sense of logic, your wits, and a close attention to detail. While it helps to know a little something about forensics, most of the stories can be solved by logic alone. Those who are forensically-challenged will find useful educational tidbits throughout so they can learn as they go!

Theresa and Kathleen, two law students, were assigned an old case to investigate and appeal as a prerequisite to their graduation. The defendant, Martin Shine, had been convicted twice. His first trial, fifteen years earlier, resulted in a guilty verdict. He was sentenced to death. An appeal a year later resulted in a new trial where he was convicted again and sentenced to life in prison.

Yet, Shine continued to maintain his innocence. The women knew that if they could somehow prove Shines innocence, or get him a new trial, they would not only have served the judicial system they wanted to participate in, but also save another human life and get an excellent grade on the project. Perhaps good enough to score a job offer from one of the prestigious firms they coveted.

Come on, Kath, Theresa said, late one night, after theyd been working on the case for several days straight. You know this guy isnt getting out.

But hes innocent.

Theresa snorted. Yeah, right. Thats what they all say.

But it could be true, Kathleen replied. And we have to write the appeal anyway, so we might as well explore all the avenues. We need new evidence.

Kathleen flipped through the crime scene photos again, looking closely at the knife, the position of the body, and the surrounding bloody furniture. What can we ask for that hasnt been done?

Theresa raised her hand and rubbed her sore neck muscles. Theyd pored over the old files, read the briefs and the transcripts, and examined the evidence until she could almost recite it in her sleep, if she ever got to sleep. Okay, she said, weary, wanting to finish the assignment and be done. Shine was convicted on bite mark evidence both times. In both trials, Shines dentition was compared to a bite mark on the deceaseds thigh, and the jury found a match.

You know how controversial that evidence is! And she was wearing shorts, so the bite was through the fabric, Kathleen argued.

The jury found the match conclusive.

But they were swayed by the circumstantial evidence. He lived nearby, he was a customer of the bar where she was killed, and hed been there that night.

Kathleen was way too invested in this assignment. She would never give up unless they found some new evidence to offer. Suddenly, it came to her: The shorts!

How could the victims shorts help prove Shines guilt or innocence?

Edna Mae Wittkop had lived in a cold weather climate all seven decades of her life, so she had learned to appreciate good neighbors. Her neighbor, Harry Timmons, had plowed the heavy snow from her driveway early this morning while shed baked him a pie. The pie was still warm when she decided to deliver it.

She slipped her feet into a pair of heavy boots and threw on a down jacket, lifting the hood to cover her head. She settled her old glasses on her nose, pushed her hands into her mittens, lifted the pie and waddled out the kitchen door. Edna Mae made her way carefully down the freshly shoveled driveway and across the street.

Breathing raggedly, she rang Harrys doorbell. Well I cant leave the pie outside, she said aloud. She struggled with her mittens, but managed to turn the knob and push the door open. Yoo hoo! Harry! Are you here? she called, huffing from exertion. She entered and stopped cold in her tracks.

A man knelt down next to Harrys still body. He looked up, stared at her for several seconds, and then bolted out the kitchen door.

When the ambulance and the sheriff finally arrived at the scene, Edna Mae told them all she knew.

Harry Timmons was attacked, she explained, her voice unsteady.

When the sheriff pressed further, Edna Mae couldnt give him a good description of Harrys attacker. Why not?