The Detective’s DeskClara Finn
Inspector
“During that inspection I opened the envelope and read the enclosed paper.”
EASY · CASE FILE
The unbroken seal
Easy · PINE LEGAL ARCHIVE
A sealed opaque envelope was continuously observed. All possible openings were covered by a foil seal that would permanently break if opened. There were no other ways to view its contents during the inspection.
Read the case file below, or open the interactive desk to examine records, keep notes and submit your reasoning. These are the case materials, without the solution.
Your assignment
Inspect, test and record the finding. What does the verified record establish?
- The source records are verified and their stated conditions apply to every account.
- Find the account contradicted by a record. A contradiction alone does not establish wrongdoing.
People and accounts
Dario West
Inspector
“I read the address on the outside.”
Esme Lake
Inspector
“I weighed the whole sealed envelope.”
Case records
Read each record on its own terms. A claim made by a person is different from a fact established by an independent record.
DESK RECORD
The delivery address
The outside address names the county archive.
The outside address names the county archive.
CONTINUOUS SEAL INSPECTION
The seal stayed whole
The opaque envelope’s only access was sealed. The foil remained intact throughout. Reading the enclosed paper required opening the envelope; the outside address could be read and the whole envelope could be weighed without opening it.
This is a verified source record for this case. Compare its stated facts with the exact question.
PHOTOGRAPH
The postal tray
The envelope was placed in the blue outgoing tray after inspection.
The envelope was placed in the blue outgoing tray after inspection.
Questions to resolve
Which accounts remain consistent with the verified facts?
Use the interactive case desk to select your finding and cite the records that support it. The answer is checked there, and your progress stays in your browser.
Build your finding
Compare the records with each account. Work out what the evidence establishes, then separate that finding from anything it does not prove.