Criminal case activity

Groups:
The class is divided in two groups (6-7 people)

Main Objective:
This is a case study the ultimate goal of which is to find the criminal and reconstruct the possible murder scenes and scenarios. In fact, there is no single right answer for the case, there can be a variety - from suicide to murder and assassination.

Roles:
Students act as detectives.

Resources:
Copies of the story, vocabulary and letters.

Procedure:
The teacher has to print copies of the first page for each student (story, vocabulary and tasks). Then They read the introduction and then study vocabulary. After that, tell them to read the article and make first assumptions. The next step is to give out the letters (only!) and ask the students to read and tell their group what the letter is about and from who (tell - not read!). Collectively they try to identify the personalities of those who address the letters. Next step: new assumptions and the first versions of the crime. Finally, there is new evidence! And at this point you hand out the diary pages which give the students more food for thought plus new ideas. In the end, students have to make questions using the Present Perfect Tense to solve the crime and discuss what versions people in each group have.

Mysterious Death of a Rock Star

Mr David Geldof, alias as Mr Mortal, a wide-famous alternative rock star was found dead in his country house on the 21st of October in 2012. Mr Morrisons veins were cut and there was a note which said that he had committed suicide

Death of the Legend (by Vivienne Marlow)

The Department of Criminal Justice has reported lately that David Geldof a famous rock-star was found dead in his country house. However the circumstances are strange: everything went well both in Davids career and in his family life while the detectives found a suicide note in his hand. At the same time, Davids wife, Nicola reported that during the last few last weeks he was very depressed. Probably the most unusual part of the story is that David Geldofs dog a huge pitbull, was also found dead in his living room with a cut throat. Nevertheless, the police together with the medical expert have concluded that it was suicide before which Mr David killed his dog in deep aggressive depression.

Even though the case has been closed, the young detective Lee Brown realised that it wasnt the case of suicide. He carefully studied all the evidence; he read a lot of letters and now he is starting a new investigation. *TASK: Join Lee Brown in his investigation and decide if the case is a suicide, a murder because of money, religious beliefs or something else. Study the letters. Before that look through the useful vocabulary.

VOCABULARY
bad circumstances suicide note totally insane extra attention business agreement return the debts a serious issue this is urgent this is your fault! It is disturbing me to commit suicide who is the victim? a case of suicide lets cooperate invest money into business

Now study a series of letters and decide who the authors of those letters are:

detective producer medical expert extrasensory adept a strange religious sect the sect leader

Hey David, We need to talk about the profit from the last two concerts . Im afraid I didnt get all the money, did I? I hope you remember about our agreement and you fix the problem. Contact me if you have anything to tell or ask. Ray 22/12/10

David, Its me again. Why arent you answering my messages? your wife told me that you are out of town this week but remember about our debts. This time its not only the studio, thats a serious situation. I can understand that you may have personal problems but I need to do my job. Do something, Jaime. Time is short. Ray 08/04/12 David! This is a serious issue! I didnt realise you were so unreliable! you need to fix the problem with the money. There is no more time! Do it right away. You know what can happen. Ray 10/09/12

Mr Geldof, Maybe you dont like our attention, maybe you get tired of our society. But there is nothing we can do. You are chosen. Daniel 23/11/11

Mr Geldof, We can call ourselves your big fans. You are absolutely talented. But your music can become unusual, fantastic, chilling. Visit our sessions which will give you new emotions. Interested? Contact Eric (ericdev@hotmail.com) The evil side society, Dockville 66 05/09/10

Dear David, I understand that your dreams make you feel nervous. This is creating negative energy around you. And there is a reason. I can see and feel some dangerous people in your life. However they are still far. I need more time to make sure. Robert Showler 01/08/10

Dear David, This is urgent. What I see these days is disturbing me: these are people near. You had a message from them and you need to be careful. Robert 10/09/10

David, I am worried about you. I think you need to visit me again before you report that to the police. I know those guys are getting on your nerves. But the stars are telling me that you shouldnt hurry. Rob 17/10/12

Dear Mrs Geldof, Im very sorry for your loss but the autopsy results show that your husband has committed suicide. The dog must be the victim of his aggressiveness. Samantha Crown (samcru@el.org) 01/11/12

Dear Mrs Geldof, The dead of your husband is definitely not a case of suicide. I am sure of that. I have studied all the evidence and a lot of letters including diary pages. I have some interesting ideas. Contact me if you want to cooperate. Lee Brown 21/11/12

Diary Page 1 Tonight I had a strange dream. But was it a dream? I saw a man sitting at my writing table his back to me. I wanted to move but I couldnt. He turned his face at me! And .and I remember that I woke up. 14/06/10

Diary Page 2 I was walking along the street in the evening to relax before to sleep. Suddenly I heard strange sounds (people talking behind my back) I turned around-nothing. I was passing a huge ark and maybe these were just sound effects, But it seems to me that the voices were saying: You shall die. Or am I hallucinating? 03/09/10

Diary Page 3 A terrible day. A message from Ray. He wants back the money that he invested into the last three concerts. Why is he so dramatic? Everything will be fine, I know it. Or does he forget how popular I am?. I need Roberts advice. Only he can help. No wonder his service cost $70000 per hour. 20/01/11

Diary Page 4 Ray! he is starting to get on my nerves! and even Nicola. I didnt expect that from her. It seems that she doesnt trust me anymore. Robert says I have bad energy around me. True. I cant work like that. So what does Ray want! After all is his fault! 18/05/11

Diary Page 5 Again and again! These guys are totally insane. Why are they following me? Fans they say.But is it because of my work? Maybe these are just teenagers who want extra attention..? I need to call Rob. 26/11/11

Diary Page 6 What a horrible day! A complete disaster! Ray came and shouted at me, he even threw a chair into me! Crikey Ray. What does he think of himself?! And those voices, I think I start to understand who that person is. Rob will tell for sure. 15/10/12