Zodiac Killer Case Overview: Forensic Science Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Dive into one of the most chilling unsolved mysteries in American history with this detailed reading comprehension worksheet on the Zodiac Killer. Designed for high school forensic science classes, this resource gives students an in-depth look at the Zodiac Killer’s timeline of crimes, the infamous ciphers, key suspects, and the lasting impact of the case on law enforcement and popular culture.

This worksheet provides a gripping narrative of the case, broken into detailed sections that guide students through the events from the Zodiac's first known attack to his cryptic messages sent to media outlets. Students will be introduced to the key aspects of the investigation, the challenges faced by law enforcement, and the suspects that have emerged over the years. The inclusion of a case study on the "340-symbol cipher" helps students explore how breakthroughs in cryptographic analysis can influence criminal investigations.

Each section of this resource is followed by engaging questions—multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer—that challenge students to think critically about the evidence and the impact of media on criminal cases. This makes it perfect for deeper learning and is ideal for use as sub plans to keep students actively engaged.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop skills in evaluating evidence and analyzing historical crime cases.
• Gain an understanding of forensic science techniques used in criminal investigations.
• Explore the role of media and cryptography in high-profile cases.

Common Core Standards and Suggested Courses:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.3: Analyze a complex set of ideas or events.
• Suggested for Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Social Studies, Psychology, and U.S. History courses.

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If you like this, please check out my related bundle on famous serial killers