The Puzzling Case of Mole Airlines, Flight 1023
At 6:02 am you and your team of medical examiners are
called to the scene of an airplane crash in a remote location.
The plane shows evidence of a precrash explosion.
Ten victims are found at the scene, but none are
identifiable by witnesses or by dental records, or DNA
evidence. One victim was murdered prior to the
plane crash.
The flight manifest shows the names and some
information about the victims.
Part one …. The plane itself
Click here to see the evidence from the plane
Click here to view evidence from victim #1
A section of the plane has been blown apart by an
explosion. It appears as if the explosion happened before
the crash.
Click here to see the analysis of the compounds sampled
from the area of the explosion.
Residue from the explosion site shows the following
elemental analysis:
37.01 % carbon
2.22 %
hydrogen
18.50 % nitrogen
42.27 % oxygen
Click here to see the list of possible compounds
Click here to view the flight manifest
Click here to view evidence from victim #1
Click here to
return to the
plane
Flight Manifest:
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Redd D. Tocroak……….American, pilot with a secret heart condition
T. King Bomba…...…..Columbian political leader, suspected terrorist
B.N. Klaas ………..….German, retired teacher addicted to diet drinks
Ms. Ivanna Bedown ………..American, Unemployed environmental
engineer, avid environmentalist. Has had a recurring problem with
depression.
Iselle Ubye…….South African, an “independent contractor”, suspected
drug dealer
Threwit Allaway - American, Pro athlete just suspended for addiction to
pain killing drugs.
Pierre E’Claire ………… French, baker
Rebecca A. Pillseller ………...Canadian, pharmacist
Ivanna Killet………..Swedish, world renown big game huntress
M. Sum Kwak……….Japanese, psychiatrist
Click here to return to the plane
Click here to see the possible compounds
Victim #1
67.31 % carbon
6.98 % hydrogen
21.10 % oxygen
4.61 % nitrogen
74.25% carbon
7.81% hydrogen
12.99% nitrogen
4.94% oxygen
Substances found in
Luggage of victim.
Click here to see the possible compounds
Click here to go on to victim #2
Victim #2
46.66 % carbon
63.15 % carbon
5.30 %
hydrogen
31.55 % oxygen
Found on clothes & in
the briefcase of victim
4.48 % hydrogen
31.10 % nitrogen
17.76 % oxygen
Found in stomach
contents
Click here to see the possible compounds
Click here to go on to victim #3
63.56 % carbon
6.00 %
Victim #3
hydrogen
21.17 % oxygen
72.19 % carbon
9.27 %
7.08 % hydrogen
nitrogen
2000 tablets found
in the pockets of the
victim.
16.04 % oxygen
4.68 % nitrogen
Found in blood sample of
victim.
Click here to see the possible compounds
Click here to go on to victim #4
Victim #4
15.87 % carbon
2.22 % hydrogen
Compound found in the pockets
63.41% oxygen
and in blood samples.
18.51% nitrogen
Click here to see the possible compounds
Click here to go on to victim #5
Victim #5
37.01 % carbon
2.22 % hydrogen
75.42 % carbon
42.27 % oxygen
6.63 % hydrogen
18.50 % nitrogen
9.57 % oxygen
Found in clothing and luggage
8.38 % nitrogen
Found in blood sample
Click here to see the possible compounds
Click here to go on to victim #6
Victim #6
57.14 % carbon
6.16 % hydrogen
27.18 % oxygen
9.52 % nitrogen
Sample found in briefcase and pockets.
Click here to see the possible compounds
Click here to go on to victim #7
81.58 % carbon
Victim #7
8.90 % hydrogen
75.41 % carbon
9.52 % nitrogen
6.64 % hydrogen
Found in the pockets and
blood of the victim.
8.38 % nitrogen
9.56 % oxygen
Found in the briefcase of
the victim.
Click here to see the possible compounds
Click here to go to victim 8
Victim #8
69.92 % carbon
6.98 %
hydrogen
10.20 % nitrogen
12.90 % chlorine
Found in the pockets of the
victim
72.19 % carbon
7.08 % hydrogen
16.04 % oxygen
4.68 % nitrogen
Found in the briefcase of
the victim.
Click here to see a list of possible compounds
Click here to go to victim 9
Victim #9
10.06%
Both substances found in
the luggage.
39.99%
Carbon
Carbon
0.85%
6.73%
Hydrogen
Hydrogen
89.09%
53.28%
Chlorine
Oxygen
Click here to see a list of possible compounds
Click here to go to victim 10
67.48% Carbon
4.61% Hydrogen
9.84% Nitrogen
5.62% Oxygen
12.45% Chlorine
Victim 10
Both substances
found in the
briefcase.
81.58% Carbon
8.90% Hydrogen
9.52% Nitrogen
Click here to see a list of possible compounds
Possible Compounds:
Dimatracine (antidepressant) ………………… C10H13N
Click here to return to the plane
Acetaminophen (Over the counter pain killer) C8H9NO2
Nitroglycerin (Explosive or heart medication) C3H5N3O9
Thiobromine (chocolate) ……………………
Click here for the flight manifest
C7H8N4O2
Vanillin (vanilla)……………………………. C8H8O3
Codeine (Prescription pain killer)……………. C18H21NO3
Trinitrotoluene Explosive (dynamite)……….. C7H5N3O6
Curare (poison) ……………………………… C40H44N4O
Strychnine (Rat poison) …………………….. C21H22N2O2
Cocaine (Narcotic drug)……………………… C17H21NO4
Aspartame (Artificial sweetener)………………. C14H18N2O5
Aspirin (painkiller, blood thinner)……………… C7H6O3
Chloroform (knockout drug)…………………… CHCl3
Diazepam (minor tranquillizer, valium)……….. C16H13N2OCl
Formaldehyde (plant and animal preservative)… CH2O
Click here to return to victim 1
Click here to return to victim 2
Click here to return to victim 3
Click here to return to victim 4
Click here to return to victim 5
Click here to return to victim 6
Click here to return to victim 7
Click here to return to victim 8
Click here to return to victim 9
Click here to return to victim 10
Lysergic acid diethylamide (illegal hallucinogen) C 20H25N3O
Polaramine (antihistamine) …………………….. C16H19N2Cl
Click here for final report
Final Report:
1) Use the data for each victim to determine the empirical
formulas and identify each compound found in, on, or with
each victim and at the crash site. SHOW ALL WORK!!!
2) Use the flight manifest information and the compound
information to make a probable identification of each victim.
3) Determine who was murdered and who was the murderer.
4) As a forensic scientist that has investigated the crash, it is
necessary to submit a report (350 – 500 words) that
a) suggests a motive for the murderer;
b) possibilities as to how the other passengers fit into the
scenario;
c) origins and final destinations of the passengers.