teachers’ notes
answers
investigation scene 1
The weather
would probably have been cool, but probably not freezing (depending on the
elevation).
discussion
Being
late autumn, the day would have been warm, but not hot. The absence of cloud,
however, would have resulted in a gradual lowering of the air temperature over
the six or so hours since sunset. Some of the warm air, however, would have
drifted up to the ridge before radiating into outer space, meaning that it
would have been warmer on the ridge than down below. Being north-facing, the
cooling process would have been further slowed down, because any solid objects
like rocks would have first absorbed heat and then gradually re-radiated it.
significance
Suzie McFloozy should have been able to survive the cold
outside her tent, even if she was wearing light clothing. Additionally, being a
clear night, there would have been at least starlight, enabling her to see
around her, even without a torch. All this means is
that - if in fact she did come to a gruesome end – it would be less
likely to be as a result of environmental factors.
investigation scene 2
The weather
would probably have been cool, but not freezing (depending mainly on the
elevation).
discussion
As June
22 is the winter solstice, it would have been a warmish but certainly not a hot
day. The presence of cloud and absence of wind would have prevented the
temperature from cooling a whole lot, even at somewhat higher altitudes,
especially given that it was still relatively early in the night.
significance
Hypothermia
can be ruled out because of the relatively mild conditions (and because hypothermic
people don’t scream). As a result of the cloud cover, however, it would have
been a dark night, and a fall cannot be ruled out.
investigation scene 3
The
weather at that time of night would have been very cold.
discussion
It
was late winter. Being cloudy, the day before was probably a cold day Whatever
heat there was radiated away into outer space over a period of time, due to the
lack of blanketing cloud and the nine hours or so that had elapsed since
sunset. There are a number of other factors, however, that may have made a
difference, such as aspect, altitude and latitude.
significance
Being
so cold and being so late, people would not be likely to be up and about
voluntarily (unless they are up to no good). The shots seem all the more
menacing because no-one would have been engaged in recreational shooting after
dark (except during duck opening). It is also unlikely that there was any kind
of accidental discharge, firstly because there were two shots and secondly because people don’t normally handle guns at
3.11 in the morning. Foul play should be suspected.
investigation scene 4
The weather
would have been cold, probably very cold.
discussion
Being
overcast and being three weeks before the spring equinox, 1 September would
already be cold. Because the clouds cleared, and because it was windy, the
temperature would have cooled down even more as the night progressed.
significance
These
are not circumstances in which honest citizens would normally venture out. The
campers would be right to feel a little anxiety.
investigation scene 5
The weather
would have been at least warm, possibly hot and probably muggy.
discussion
January
being one of the hottest months and a sunny day, it would have become warm or
even hot during the day. The cloud would have trapped the heat from the day and
the northerly breeze would have also been warm. In southern Australia, it
usually takes a couple of days of sunny skies to produce hot weather, so it
depends a little on what part of the weather cycle these conditions belonged
to.
significance
Regardless
of the weather, the campers should have been very alert, if not alarmed. Crimes
of various kinds are more likely to take place, at night at least, when conditions
are pleasant. (Villains do not like to venture out in bad weather.)
investigation scene 6
The wind
would have been blowing from the south-west or even the south after it changed.
discussion
As
high pressure systems (which are anti-cyclonic) move away to the east, and low
pressure systems move in from the west, wind speed intensifies and
north-westerlies give way to south-westerlies.
significance
Scoop McSnoop needed to land his aircraft into the wind by descending from the
north-east. He would have been well-advised to land
sooner rather than later, because these sorts of wind changes are often
associated with foul weather.
investigation scene 7
Visibility
would have probably been poor.
discussion
The
moisture in the ground would probably have continued to produce heavy vapour
that, in the absence of any wind, would have in turn formed into low-lying
cloud or fog. The fog would probably have got thicker through the night so
that, by 4.45am, Davo may not have been able to see
more than a few metres in front of him.
significance
Given
his track record, Davo didn’t stand a chance.
investigation scene 8
The visibility
would probably have been at least fair.
discussion
In
March, the vapour-laden air would probably have been warmer than, say, in
October and, therefore, more likely to rise rather hang around. As well, it was
early in the night when the three students snuck off and fog would not have had
time to build up. The full moon would have provided plenty of natural light,
even if it was a little misty.
significance
Floater
and his buddies almost certainly could see where they were going.
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