Casting students in grades 5 through 12 in the roles of reporters, lawyers, and detectives at the scene of a crime, this interdisciplinary activity involves participants in the intrigue and drama of crime investigation. Using a hands-on, step-by-step approach, students work in teams to investigate a crime and solve a mystery. Through role-playing and research, students collect and analyze evidence, interview witnesses, write news articles, create a police report, and apply for courtroom jobs. While generating excitement, these activities build thinking and problem-solving skills, and they develop knowledge in English, science, social studies, and other subject areas. An interdisciplinary portfolio helps students see how each aspect of the curriculum is related and blended together to solve the mystery. This book includes detailed instructions and numerous classroom-ready reproducibles. Topics covered include: overview of crime scene investigation; timeline; science activities and preparation prior to the crime scene investigation; preparation of evidence; setting up the crime scene; collecting and analyzing evidence; crime scene portfolio; interviewing witnesses; writing the news article; police report; handwriting analysis; writing a mystery story group activity; reading a mystery novel group activity; applying for courtroom jobs; researching jobs; arrests and trial preparation; the trial; and creating your own crime scene. An index is included. (DLS)