Empowering the future, one adventure at a time.
Whodunnit
Turn your unit into detectives, solve the clues, analyze the evidence, and crack the case.
Recommended for:
Guides
Rangers
Estimated Time:
75
Minutes
Materials:
Extra Resources Required
Celebration:
British Science Week
Activity Description
Join the Guiding Forensic Team, using real forensic science techniques, teams will collect clues, analyze evidence, and piece together the mystery of the hall intruder. From fingerprints and tool marks to footprints, handwriting, and hair samples, every detail counts in cracking the case. Do your detectives have what it takes to solve the crime?
Starter (Optional)
Before the investigation begins, test your detectives’ sharp eyes with a quick observation game. As girls arrive, display the CCTV snapshot image (included in the printable pack) for them to study independently. Once everyone has arrived, remove the image and ask the 10 recall questions about what they saw. This self-led warm-up gets everyone into detective mode, sharpens their focus, and sets the scene for the mystery ahead.
How to Play
1. Evidence Stations - Before the meeting, set up forensic stations around the hall with each challenge
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Tool Marks – Compare Play-Doh impressions with suspects’ tools mark picture.
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Footprints – Match the hidden footprints to the correct suspect.
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Hair Sample – Compare the hidden strand of blonde wool with suspect details.
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Fingerprint Analysis – Arrives later from the “lab”; compare fingerprints from tools to the suspects.
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Handwriting Analysis – Examine the suspect's note for a matching writing style.
2. Scene Setting - Read aloud the Detective Baden-Powell Letter to immerse the girls in the mystery. They are now members of the Guiding Forensic Team.
3. Suspect Line-Up - Display the six Suspect Cards at Whodunnit HQ (a table in middle of hall). Teams can return to these throughout the investigation.
4. Evidence Booklet - Each team searches the hall analysing the evidence and records their findings in the booklet (foldable, one-page file included).
5. Final Reveal - Teams share their reasoning and declare who they believe the culprit is. Reveal the true answer, the police report and celebrate the top detectives!
Programme Links
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DNA-mazing (SB 3R)
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Crime Scene Scientists (SB 5I)
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Can you solve it? (UMA45)
With over 1,000 resources across the programme, we might have missed some! If you spot other links, please get in touch, we’d love to add them.
Keeping the Adventure Alive
If you and your unit had fun with Whodunnit, please consider supporting Hummingbird HQ. Every donation, big or small, helps keep our units running, keeping our guiding light alive and allows me to continue creating free resources for leaders everywhere. Even the price of a coffee makes a difference, it helps cover website costs, and keeps these activities freely available for all.
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