Who Stole the Gecko Eggs?
by Fay Pisciotta
January 28, 2007
Public Notice:
On the afternoon of January 17, 2007, two rare eggs of the Madagascar Day Gecko were stolen from the classroom of Mr. Gabe Jenkins, Room #33 of Edna Brewer Middle School. The eggs were stolen some time between the hours of 1:30 pm and 3:45 pm, while the teachers of Edna Brewer attended a staff meeting. The crime scene was discovered when Mr. Jenkins returned from the staff meeting to find a great deal of evidence, brightly illuminated by the cool fluorescent glow of the newly-fixed lights in his room.
Photos of the crime scene can be seen by clicking here: 
Crime Scene Photos
While a lot of evidence was left at the scene of the crime, we need your help to determine EXACTLY what happened on that fateful day. This article links to several key pieces of evidence which may help us solve this crime. PLEASE apply all of your mental efforts to solving this puzzle: we cannot allow a gecko egg thief to get away with this crime!!!
Because of the evidence left at the scene of the crime, several teachers were interviewed to determine their potential for involvement in the crime, as well as whether or not they might have a motive or an alibi. IT SHOULD BE CLEARLY STATED THAT ALL OF THESE TEACHERS IS CURRENTLY ONLY SUSPECTED OF POSSIBLE WRONGDOING: NOBODY HAS BEEN PROVEN GUILTY.
INTERVIEWS WITH THE SUSPECTS, taken immediately after the discovery of the crime:
Mr. Packman's Interview: What Did Mr. Packman Have To Say?
---A transcript of Mr. Packman's interview can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
Ms. Wolfgramm's Interview: What Did Ms. Wolfgramm Have To Say?
---A transcript of Ms. Wolfgramm's interview can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
Mr. Hong's Interview: What Did Mr. Hong Have To Say?
---A transcript of Mr. Hong's interview can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
Ms. Marantz's Interview: What Did Ms. Marantz Have To Say?
---A transcript of Ms. Marantz's interview can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE
The following slide shows contain evidence found at the scene of the crime, as well as additional evidence that has been collected by students and Mr. Jenkins since the crime was committed.
Fiber Evidence: Found at the scene of the crime was a very
small sample (only a few threads) of what appeared to be an olive
green synthetic fiber. Following their discovery, the four
primary suspects were asked to provide the investigation with a
small sample of any olive green clothing in their wardrobes.
In the attached slide show are the microscopic enlargements
of these fibers. Investigators
should focus on matching up the fibers from the crime scene with
fibers provided by the teachers, as this may indicate which
suspects were at the scene of the crime.
Hair Evidence: Also found at the scene of the crime were a
variety of hairs. Because of the presence of what appeared to
be dog paw prints at the scene of the crime, the hairs were
analyzed to determine their source. The attached slide show
allows you to see microscopic photos of hairs found at the scene of
the crime, as well as hairs from humans, dogs, cats, and a deer,
for comparative purposes. Investigators should focus on matching up
the hairs from the crime scene with hair samples taken from nature,
as this may provide additional clues about who was at the crime
scene. Note: of the four main suspects, only Ms. Marantz
has a dog.
DNA sequencing evidence: As quickly as possible hair
samples were sent to a DNA sequencing laboratory to determine
who the hair belonged to. Investigators should focus on matching up the
DNA sequence from the crime scene with DNA sequences taken
from suspects' hair samples. Note: while
DNA matching is very accurate, it does not necessarily prove
who committed the crime, as it is not certain when the hair got
left at the crime scene (maybe it was left AFTER the crime was
committed).
Footprint Evidence: Luckily for the investigation, several
footprints were found at the scene of the crime. This slide
show allows the investigator to compare the footprints found at the
crime scene with the footprints of the four primary suspects taken
the following day. Investigators should focus on matching up
the footprints from the crime scene with footprints provided by the
teachers, as this may indicate which suspects were at the scene of
the crime. While it is of course possible that teachers
changed their shoes overnight to avoid suspicion, careful
investigators could measure the length of the footprints to
determine the shoe sizes of the footprints taken from the scene of
the crime, as well as from the suspects.
Soil Evidence: After the footprints were accurately copied down
for the purposes of the footprint analysis, soil taken from the mud
of the footprints was carefully collected to see if it matched any
known soil sample from around the school campus. The attached
photos include photos of soil from the crime scene, as well as from
four other locations. Investigators should focus on matching up
the soil sample from the crime scene with soil samples taken
from around the school, as this may provide information about how
the perpetrator approached the room (from outside the 30 wing,
through the window, etc.).
Fingerprint Evidence: Fingerprints were clearly left at the
crime scene, most notably on the glass gecko cage. The
fingerprints appear to be from the right index finger, the right
middle finger, and the right thumb. The attached sheet
contains these fingerprints from not only the crime scene, but also
from our four main suspects. Investigators should focus on matching up
the fingerprints from the crime scene with fingerprints provided by
the teachers, as this may indicate which suspect handled the gecko
cage.
Handwriting evidence: At the crime scene, a note was found
that said, "Ha Ha, Mr. Jenkins." While this was disturbing,
the investigators persevered in order to match up the handwriting
from the note with handwriting samples taken from all the main
suspects. Investigators
should focus on matching up the handwriting from the crime scene
note with handwriting samples provided by the suspects, as
this may indicate which suspect wrote the note.
Ink chromatography evidence: In addition to analyzing the
handwriting, the investigation used the process of ink
chromatography to determine the source of the type of ink used in
the crime scene note. Using simple techniques, students used
filter paper and water to determine which type of pen was used to
write the crime scene note. Investigators should analyze the ink
chromatography pattern found in the ink from the crime scene note
with the results of the ink chromatography taken from the suspects'
favorite pens.
WE NEED YOUR HELP IN ORDER TO SOLVE THIS CRIME. PLEASE APPLY ALL OF YOUR MENTAL ENERGY TOWARDS FIGURING THIS OUT.
IN ADDITION, PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK BACK AT THIS WEBSITE IN ORDER TO GET THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE INVESTIGATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
