Name:
Date Due:
October 28, 2013
Name of Book:
Name of Show:
Teacher’s approval
Mystery Novel Assignment
You must read at least one 400 page mystery novel. You may choose to read either two – 200 book or
one – 400 pages mystery novel. If you choose to read two different mystery novels, you must complete a
questionnaire about each one.
You must also watch a mystery/crime TV show (at least one hour in length). With some TV shows, you
may need to watch more than one episode in order to fully comprehend the work done by forensic
scientists in a lab and field setting. Don’t forget to take notes on the show and the book just like a
detective would in order to keep track of the roles each main character plays, the evidence that was used
and the analysis performed by the forensic scientist to solve the crime. Once you have completed both
the book and the TV show you must answer the following questions about both forms of entertainment.
This assignment will require a title page of the book and TV show used including the title, author, date
and your name. The final product must be typed (Ariel, 12 Font); I would also like you to include any
notes taken throughout the period you spent reading the book and watching your show, this may be
handwritten. All explanations must be at least one or two paragraphs in length (keeping in mind that a
paragraph is at least 5-7 sentences long – I count).
Information/Questions: (For questions 1 – 9 you must answer these separately for the book(s) and the
show.)
1.
Book/Show Title abstract (summary)
2.
Book Author/Show – Season, Episode, Title & Producer
3.
Number of pages (book)/Show should be an hour long (Network, Day & Time)
Must attach a computer printout of the book’s information and the show’s datasheet which verifies the above information
(see Ms. Massey for assistance)
4.
Name of Title characters (Detective – note whether they are an amateur or a professional sleuth)
5.
Type of mystery/crime (murder, theft, etc.)
6.
Name of Suspect(s), their occupation and relationship to the victim.
7.
What clue(s) helped the main character solve this crime?
8.
What evidence was used to help solve the crime and what analysis was done on the evidence to
lead the detective to the perpetrator? Remember Locard’s Exchange Principle. Note: For the TV show,
I will allow some deductive reasoning, however, the detective MUST visit the “lab” or converse with
the “lab expert” during the episode.
9.
Based on your knowledge and reading of our textbook, were the proper steps of a Criminal
Investigation done? Explain your answer in detail.
10. Did you figure out who the culprit was prior to the lead “Detective(s)” explaining it to the
reader/viewers? If so, explain what clues lead you to that person?
11. What mistake(s) were made by the perpetrator in committing his/her crime and what led to them
doing so? Also what was the initial motive for committing this crime in the first place?
12. If you had been the lead detective on the case, what steps would you have initially taken or done
differently to solve the mystery? (note: if you would have taken the same steps, think about
additional or alternate steps that could have been taken)
13. What is the character name, background and area of expertise of the main forensic scientist?
Which aspects of Forensic Science were used to solve this crime? (Fingerprints, tool marks, etc.).
14. Compare and contrast the different styles of the lead “Detective(s)”. How did they solve the
crime? What powers of deduction did they use?
15. How did the book/TV show compare? Have you read/seen any of these before? If so or if not,
would you read/watch more and/or would you recommend this author/show to your friends?
Explain in detail what you liked, disliked, etc. from both forms of entertainment.
Extra Credit:
The schedule for extra points is for the week before it is due as follows:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 point