The Mystery of Lyle and Louise: Questioned Documents Kit

Grade 9–College. During the investigation of the Mondelo murder, police turn their suspicion on business partner John Wayne Gretsky, finding questionable receipts on his desk. Your students must determine if these receipts are legitimate business documents or evidence of a crime. To do this, students determine objective criteria for handwriting analysis and apply these criteria when examining suspect receipts.

After analyzing the handwriting, students dissolve ink gathered from numbers on the suspect invoices. Using thin-layer chromatography, students then create an ink profile for each sample taken from the receipt. With this information, they determine if the same ink was used to fill out the entire form. Finally, by combining where different inks are used with what receipts are suspected of forgery, students develop a complete theory of the suspected forgery. Note: Kit can be shipped and stored at room temperature.