Evidence files
- Each record keeps a permanent ID. Open it and read it to mark it reviewed.
- New groups of records are released as you review the file. Locked records stay hidden until then.
TraceTheory / Investigator's Guide
How to investigate
Every case follows the same method. You don't need to use every tool, but together they help you build an argument the file can support.
01 · Examine
Open records and read them fully. Reviewing a record is what moves the file forward.
02 · Pin
Put records, people and quotes that matter on your Investigation Board.
03 · Connect
Draw lines between pinned items and write why you think they relate.
04 · Correlate
Test two or three records together to see if the file supports a connection.
05 · Request
Justify a follow-up action by citing the records that support it.
06 · Reconstruct
Put the key events in order and check how coherent your timeline is.
07 · Accuse
File your final theory with a person, motive, method and supporting records.
Demo file: The Orchid Show
A prize orchid went missing from a community garden show overnight. This practice file exists only in this guide.
Practice records
- D-01
Volunteer sign-out sheet
Wendy Park signed out at 18:10.
- D-02
Greenhouse sprinkler log
Sprinklers ran 19:00–19:15.
- D-03
Wet footprints photo
Prints near the empty stand are still wet at 19:30.
People
Priya Anand (Exhibitor) · Otto Lindqvist (Show judge) · Wendy Park (Volunteer)
D-02 + D-03
Lead established
Wet prints at 19:30 suggest someone crossed the greenhouse after the sprinklers ran.
D-01 + D-03
No supported connection is established. Not every combination correlates — that is expected and costs nothing.
Your assessment · Wendy Park
- Motive
- Weak
- Alibi
- Partly supported
- Suspicion
- 20%
Suspicion ratings are your private notes. The game never scores them.
Pinning, moving and connecting
- Add unlocked records, people, interview quotes or your own notes to the board.
- Drag a card to move it. On a phone or keyboard, select it and use the arrow buttons.
- Select two cards and choose Connect to draw a line. Add a note to any card or line.
Correlating evidence
- Pick two or three records you have unlocked and press Correlate.
- Most combinations will not correlate. That is normal and there is no penalty.
- Supported connections are logged as a lead, contradiction or clarification. They never name who is responsible.
Investigation requests
- Choose a follow-up action and cite the records that justify it.
- If the basis is too thin you will be asked for more. You can refile any time, so you cannot get stuck.
Timeline reconstruction
- Event cards appear as the records behind them are unlocked. Arrange them in the order you believe they happened.
- Check coherence shows how complete and consistent your order is overall, not which card is wrong.
Person of interest assessments
- On each person's page, rate motive, opportunity, alibi and your own suspicion.
- These ratings are your private notes. The game never scores them or tells you if they are right.
Case progress
- The overview shows records reviewed, connections found, contradictions, people not yet assessed, timeline progress and overall completion.
- Progress measures how thoroughly you've worked the file, not whether your theory is correct.
Submitting your final theory
- Draft whenever you like; it saves as you go. Filing opens once you've reviewed the whole file.
- Name a person, motive and method, and cite the records that carry your argument. Filing is final.
Guided or independent
When you open your first case you can pick Guided (a short tip the first time you use each tool) or Independent (no automatic tips). Change it any time from the Investigator Help button inside a case.
Go to my investigations →