Basics

Question 1

We solve cases by learning how to ___________

Answer 1

think.

Question 2

We have to look at the facts and not assume we know the answer before we____________________

Answer 2

gather ALL the evidence.

Question 3

What does it mean to assume?

Answer 3

To suppose something is true without proof.

Question 4

What is a presupposition?

Answer 4

Something you assume to be true, even before you begin investigating.

Question 5

Why are presuppositions important to be aware of during an investigation?

Answer 5

It may make us rule out certain possibilities before looking at the evidence.

Question 6

What is naturalism?

Answer 6

The view that everything in the universe can be explained “naturally” with only space, time, matter and the laws of physics and chemistry.

Question 7

What does the naturalism view say about God?

Answer 7

It claims that nothing “supernatural” (like God) can

Question 8

What is an inference?

Answer 8

We make an “inference” when we come to a reasonable conclusion based on the evidence.

Question 9

How do you solve a mystery?

Answer 9

Write down all the evidence, then make a list of all the possible ways to explain the evidence. One of these explanations will be more reasonable than the rest.

Question 10

What are the 4 books in the Bible that describe what Jesus did called?

Answer 10

Gospels

Question 11

What 4 pieces of evidences based on documented history exist about the resurrection of Jesus?

Answer 11

1. Jesus died on a cross and was buried.
2. Jesus’s tomb was found empty. His body could not be found.
3. Jesus’s disciples said they saw Jesus - alive (resurrected).
4. Jesus’s disciples were so committed to their testimony that they were willing to die for it. They never changed their story.

Question 12

What are the two types of evidence?

Answer 12

Direct evidence and indirect evidence

Question 13

What is direct evidence?

Answer 13

When we have a witness who can testify to the evidence.

Question 14

What is indirect evidence?

Answer 14

Everything else that might be related to the situation.

Question 15

What is indirect evidence also called?

Answer 15

Indirect evidence is also called circumstancial evidence.

Question 16

What is a con artist?

Answer 16

Someone who gains the trust or confidence of another in order to lie or take advantage of them.

Question 17

Does eyewitness testimony from different people need to match to be reliable? Why or why not?

Answer 17

Eyewitness testimony from two or more people is expected to be different because two or more people may witness the same even yet see or hear it differently. This is what REAL eyewitness testimony looks like.

Question 18

What are the four questions to ask to test the reliability of eyewitnesses?

Answer 18

1. Were they actually there?
2. Can we verify what they say in some way?
3. Have they changed their story over time?
4. Do they have some reason to lie?

Question 19

What is the chain of custody?

Answer 19

A record of WHO had the evidence and WHEN.

Question 20

Why is the chain of custody important when assessing evidence?

Answer 20

We want to determine if the evidence has changed over time.

Question 21

What are two important questions to ask when reviewing the chain of custody?

Answer 21

Question 1 = Who handled it?

Question 2 = How did they describe it?

Question 22

What is forensic statement analysis?

Answer 22

Forensic statement analysis is what detectives use to read statements written by suspects, paying close attention to what the suspect says and how he or she says it.

Question 23

What is the difference between evidence and artifacts found at a crime scene?

Answer 23

Evidence is all the stuff that’s related to the crime or mystery that we’re investigating. Artifacts are the things that aren’t related to the case at all.

Question 24

What is a conspiracy?

Answer 24

When two or more people work together to do something harmful or illegal and then lie about it so no one will find out.

Question 25

What are the 5 things that are required to make conspiracy work?

Answer 25

1. A small number of conspirators.
2. Great communication.
3. A short time span.
4. Close friendships.
5. Low pressure.

Question 26

What is the difference between a conspiracy and a successful conspiracy?

Answer 26

If you think you know about a successful conspiracy, it wasn’t successful. If it had been, you wouldn’t know about it.

Question 27

Why is a small number of conspirators required to make a conspiracy work?

Answer 27

It’s a lot easier for two people to tell the same lie and keep a secret than it is for 20 people to do the same. The more people involved, the more likely someone will make a mistake.

Question 28

Why is great communication required to make a conspiracy work?

Answer 28

It’s harder than it sounds for conspirators to keep thier stories straight. If they are questioned separately, they need to be able to find out what the other conspirators said.

Question 29

Why is a short time span required to make a conspiracy work?

Answer 29

It’s harder to tell a lie for a year than it is to tell it for a day.

Question 30

Why are close friendships required to make a conspiracy work?

Answer 30

The closer the relationship between conspirators, teh better. People don’t usually “tell on” their best friends.

Question 31

Why is low pressure required to make a conspiracy work?

Answer 31

If no one puts any pressure on the people telling the lie, they might get away with it. The less pressure, the eaier it is to keep a secret.

Question 32

What do you now know about group lies?

Answer 32

Movies and books that describe incredible conspiracies are popular, but now you know why they are unreasonalbe. Don’t get caught up in crazy theories, especially when people claim the disciples lied about Jesus.

Question 33

How do the Gospels pass the test of reliable eyewitnesses? (4 ways)

Answer 33

1. They were written early, and we know what they originlly said about Jesus.
2. They are verified by archaeology.
3. They weren’t changed over time based on the “chain of custody”.
4. The writers had no reason to lie.