CaseBoard — Official Rulebook

01

Welcome to CaseBoard

CaseBoard is a collaborative deduction game for 2–8 players. You are investigators. Someone is dead. You have 75 minutes to figure out who did it — and prove it with evidence.

Every case in The Indian Detective Files is a self-contained murder mystery set across India's cities — from the boardrooms of Bengaluru to the havelis of Surat, the film sets of Mumbai to the courts of Pune. Each case comes with a full evidence dossier, suspect profiles, and a sealed solution that no player sees until the very end.

CaseBoard is not a trivia game. There is no luck. Every answer is buried somewhere in the evidence — you just have to find it, connect it, and make your case before the clock runs out.

The Core Principle

One player is guilty. The evidence proves it. Everything you need to solve the case is inside the dossier. No guessing required — only reasoning.

The game is played in six phases, moving from a briefing through three rounds of evidence review, then into a silent accusation phase, and finally the solution reveal. Players work together through the investigation but submit their own accusation independently at the end. Individual scores are calculated after the truth is revealed.

02

What's in Each Case

Every case in CaseBoard is fully self-contained. All files open in a web browser — no installation required. The dossier is divided into public files and sealed files.

Public Files — Open from the Start

00_Start_Here.html — The case index and navigation hub.

01_Case_Brief.html — The official crime report. Read this aloud at the start of every game.

02_Suspect_Profiles.html — Background on every suspect. No spoilers — no killer is identified here.

03_Role_Cards.html — Assign roles to players before Round 1.

06_Timeline_Board.html — A collaborative board for tracking suspect movements.

07_Accusation_Sheet.html — Each player's final submission. Fill in independently during the accusation phase.

08_Hints.html — Three tiered hints. Group vote required before any hint is opened.

Evidence Pack A — Unlocked at Round 1

The primary evidence set. Includes forensic reports, access logs, financial records, phone data, and witness statements. Roughly 8–9 pieces depending on the case.

Evidence Pack B — Unlocked at Round 3

The resolution evidence. These pieces are deliberately held back — they confirm or overturn theories built in Rounds 1 and 2. Pack B contains the AHA moment. Do not open it early.

Sealed Files — Do Not Open Until Instructed

09_Host_Notes.html — Full solution notes. Sealed behind a confirmation gate. Only open if you are hosting without playing, or after the game ends.

10_SEALED_Solution_Reveal.html — The official solution narrative. Opens during the Reveal phase. Requires a confirmation click.

11_Scoring_Sheet.html — Unlocked at the Reveal phase. Fill in after the solution is read aloud.

Also Available per Case

00_Auto_Host.html — A shared-screen host panel with phase timer, evidence unlock signals, hint tracker, and nudge system. Ideal for groups where everyone is playing — no dedicated host needed.

03

The Investigation Team

CaseBoard supports up to 8 players, each assigned a specialist role. Every role owns a specific slice of the evidence — but all players discuss openly. Your role determines what you focus on, not what you're allowed to say.

🔍

Lead Detective

Coordinator · Final Voice

Runs the group discussion. Poses the decisive questions. Collects accusation sheets at the end and announces the team's majority verdict.

Primary Focus

Case Brief · Suspect Profiles · Final synthesis

🧪

Forensic Analyst

Science · Cause of Death

Owns the medical and forensic evidence. Reports cause of death, estimated time of death, substance analysis, and physical condition of the crime scene.

Primary Evidence

Autopsy Report · Toxicology Report · Forensic Analysis

⏱

Timeline Keeper

Movement · Alibis

Maintains the Timeline Board throughout the game. Maps every suspect's claimed location against confirmed evidence. Identifies gaps, inconsistencies, and overlaps.

Primary Focus

Timeline Board · CCTV Logs · Movement Patterns

🎤

Interrogation Specialist

Pressure · Contradiction

Identifies the two weakest alibis each round and formulates the exact question that breaks them. Leads challenges against suspect statements. Earns bonus points for confirmed contradictions.

Primary Focus

Witness Statements · Interview Transcripts · Alibi Verification

💰

Financial Crimes Analyst

Motive · Money Trail

Traces financial motives — inheritance, embezzlement, contracts, debts. Follows the money to establish who stood to gain or lose the most from the victim's death.

Primary Evidence

Bank Statements · Audit Memos · Wills · Financial Records

📱

Digital Evidence Analyst

Digital Footprint · Technology

Owns all digital evidence. Phone records, call logs, Wi-Fi pings, access card data, app records, and electronic documents. Establishes digital placement and communication trails.

Primary Evidence

Phone Records · Access Logs · App Records · CCTV Data

🔬

Crime Scene Analyst

Physical Evidence · Staging

Reconstructs the physical crime scene. Identifies what was moved, staged, or planted. Responsible for confirming whether the scene is consistent with the stated cause of death.

Primary Focus

Crime Scene Report · Physical Evidence · Staging Analysis

⚖️

Devil's Advocate

Challenger · Counter-Theory

Never lets the group settle too easily. Each round, makes the strongest possible case for the suspect the group is least suspicious of. Forces the team to actively defend their theory.

Primary Focus

All evidence · Alternative readings · Overlooked suspects

Important — Roles Are Focus Areas, Not Gatekeepers

Every player can see and discuss every piece of evidence. Your role tells you what to prioritise and report on — it does not restrict what you can read or say. In smaller groups, one player may hold multiple roles and cover all of their evidence areas.

04

Player Count Guide

CaseBoard scales from 2 to 8 players. When there are fewer than 8 players, roles are combined. The Lead Detective always remains a dedicated role — they coordinate the group and should not hold more than one additional role.

Players	Difficulty	Role Assignments
2	Expert	P1 Lead Detective + Forensic Analyst + Timeline Keeper + Crime Scene Analyst P2 Interrogation Specialist + Financial Crimes Analyst + Digital Evidence Analyst + Devil's Advocate
3	Hard	P1 Lead Detective + Forensic Analyst + Crime Scene Analyst P2 Timeline Keeper + Financial Crimes Analyst + Digital Evidence Analyst P3 Interrogation Specialist + Devil's Advocate
4	Moderate	P1 Lead Detective + Crime Scene Analyst P2 Forensic Analyst + Financial Crimes Analyst P3 Timeline Keeper + Digital Evidence Analyst P4 Interrogation Specialist + Devil's Advocate
5	Standard	P1 Lead Detective P2 Forensic Analyst + Crime Scene Analyst P3 Timeline Keeper + Financial Crimes Analyst P4 Interrogation Specialist + Digital Evidence Analyst P5 Devil's Advocate
6	Standard	P1 Lead Detective P2 Forensic Analyst P3 Timeline Keeper + Financial Crimes Analyst P4 Interrogation Specialist + Crime Scene Analyst P5 Digital Evidence Analyst P6 Devil's Advocate
7	Easy	P1 Lead Detective P2 Forensic Analyst P3 Timeline Keeper P4 Interrogation Specialist P5 Financial Crimes Analyst + Crime Scene Analyst P6 Digital Evidence Analyst P7 Devil's Advocate
8	Easiest	P1–P8 One role each. Full team — every role is filled by a dedicated investigator.

Note on Difficulty

With fewer players, each person holds more evidence — which means you have more information individually, but fewer perspectives in discussion. Two-player games are significantly harder because the Devil's Advocate pressure is absent and every contradiction must be self-discovered. For first-time players, 4–6 players is the recommended sweet spot.

Playing Solo

Solo play is supported. Cover all 8 roles yourself, read all evidence, and use the Auto-Host timer. You will not be able to earn the Contradiction Confirmation or Scene Reconstruction bonus points since those require the named role to confirm the finding in group discussion. All other points are fully available.

05

Setting Up the Game

Setup takes 5–8 minutes. Use this checklist before every session.

01Open 00_Auto_Host.html on a shared screen visible to all players. This is your game clock, phase manager, and evidence hub for the session.
02In the Auto-Host setup screen, enter each player's name and assign them a role using the dropdown. Refer to Section 04 for the correct role split based on your group size.
03Set your round timers. Defaults are 20 minutes per round — this works for most groups. Increase to 25 minutes if your group is playing their first case ever. Decrease to 15 minutes for experienced players who want a challenge.
04Each player should have their own device — phone or laptop — to open their personal evidence pieces. If devices are limited, print Pack A evidence before the session starts.
05Designate one shared screen (TV, monitor, or projector) to display the Auto-Host. The timer, phase instructions, and evidence unlock signals all run from there.
06Do not open Evidence Pack B, the Accusation Sheet, the Scoring Sheet, or the Solution Reveal before the game reaches the correct phase. The Auto-Host locks and unlocks these automatically.
07Click Start the Investigation on the Auto-Host when everyone is ready. The game begins.

06

The Six Phases

Every game of CaseBoard moves through six phases in fixed order. Phases are separated by a cinematic transition on the Auto-Host screen. You advance manually — the timer is a guide, not a hard stop.

📋

Phase 0 Setup & Briefing 5 min

The Lead Detective reads the Case Brief aloud to everyone. Role Cards are assigned. All players review the Suspect Profiles silently for 2 minutes. No discussion, no accusations — this is orientation only. Advance when everyone has read the Brief and knows their role.

📦

Round 1 First Evidence Review 20 min

Evidence Pack A is now open. Each role-holder reads their assigned evidence silently for 3 minutes, then shares their findings aloud. The Forensic Analyst always presents first — cause and time of death set the framework. The Timeline Keeper begins populating the Timeline Board. End goal: understand all stated alibis and the crime's basic mechanism.

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Round 2 Alibi Testing 20 min

The Timeline Keeper walks through each suspect's claimed location, asking the group: "Is this confirmed by a second source, or just claimed?" The Interrogation Specialist identifies the two weakest alibis and formulates targeted challenges. The Devil's Advocate defends the suspect the group is least suspicious of. End goal: narrow to 1–2 primary suspects before Pack B opens.

🔓

Round 3 Pack B — The AHA Moment 20 min

Evidence Pack B is now unlocked. These new pieces are the resolution layer — each one is designed to confirm, contradict, or deepen something from Pack A. Read before discussing. Assign one Pack B piece per player if possible. End goal: the group can name the killer, the motive, and the method with evidence citations for all three.

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Phase 4 Accusation Phase 10 min

Discussion stops. Each player fills their Accusation Sheet independently — no collaboration, no talking, no peeking at other sheets. Fields include: culprit, motive, method, key evidence, key contradiction, and confidence level. The Lead Detective collects all sheets (or verbal confirmations) before advancing. Submissions are final.

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Phase 5 Solution & Scoring Unlimited

Each player opens the Scoring Sheet and calculates their score. Compare totals and announce rankings. Then the Lead Detective opens 10_SEALED_Solution_Reveal.html — it requires one final confirmation click. Read the solution narrative aloud. Discuss who got what right, what the red herrings were, and how the killer was caught.

07

The Evidence System

Evidence in CaseBoard is divided into two packs released at different phases. This structure is intentional — it mirrors how real investigations unfold and ensures every group gets a moment of genuine revelation.

Evidence Pack A — Available from Round 1

Pack A contains the foundational evidence. Forensic results, access logs, initial witness statements, financial records, and communication data. These pieces establish the framework of the case — who was where, what killed the victim, and who had a reason to want them dead.

Pack A is deliberately incomplete. You will not be able to solve the case with Pack A alone, and you should not try to. Use it to build theories, not conclusions.

Evidence Pack B — Unlocked at Round 3

Pack B is the resolution layer. Each piece in Pack B resolves a specific contradiction or confirms a specific suspicion from Pack A. Some pieces clear suspects. Some pieces destroy alibis. One or two pieces contain the decisive detail that makes everything click.

Read Pack B slowly. Do not rush. Every piece has been placed deliberately. The group should pause after each new piece before moving to the next.

—Evidence numbers matter. Always cite evidence by its code (e.g. "E04 says…" or "per the toxicology in E02…"). Vague references cause confusion and lose points on the accusation sheet.
—All players can see all evidence. Role specialisation is about focus, not restriction. If your role doesn't own a piece, you can still read it and contribute to the discussion.
—Evidence does not lie. Every piece of evidence reflects the actual facts of the case. There are no deliberately false documents inside the pack. Red herrings exist as suspects and circumstances — not as fabricated data.
—Absence of evidence is also evidence. If a suspect has no confirmed sighting during a critical window, that gap matters. The Timeline Keeper should flag all unconfirmed periods explicitly.

08

Discussion Rules

CaseBoard is collaborative. There are no hidden loyalties, no secret objectives, and no reason to withhold information from your team — until the silent Accusation Phase begins.

✓Share what your evidence says. Every player should present the key details of their pieces to the group, not hoard them.
✓Name suspects by name, not "that guy" or "the third one." Precision matters when reconstructing a timeline or connecting evidence.
✓Challenge weak theories. If someone says a suspect is innocent because of a gut feeling, ask for the evidence. Gut feelings don't earn points.
✓The Devil's Advocate is allowed — encouraged — to defend suspects the group has dismissed. This is their job. Don't take it personally.
✗Do not open Pack B before Round 3. This is the most important rule. Opening it early collapses the game structure and spoils the resolution for the group.
✗No discussion during the Accusation Phase. Once the Lead Detective announces the Accusation Phase, all verbal discussion stops. You may only speak to confirm that you have finished filling in your sheet.
✗Do not show your Accusation Sheet to other players. Sheets are collected by the Lead Detective and scored individually after the Solution Reveal.
✗Do not look up the case online. CaseBoard cases are original — there are no spoilers to find — but this rule applies to the spirit of deductive reasoning.

On Arguments

Disagreement is healthy. Arguments that go in circles are not. If the group is stuck on whether a suspect did it, move on and come back. The nudge system in the Auto-Host will prompt you if you spend too long without progress.

09

The Accusation Phase

The Accusation Phase is the most important 10 minutes of the game. Every player files an independent verdict. This is where individual scores diverge — your team may have agreed on a theory, but you might have doubts.

Open 07_Accusation_Sheet.html on your personal device. The sheet is editable on-screen, or you can print it and write by hand. Fill in all six fields:

01Name of the Culprit — The specific suspect you believe committed the crime. Use their full name as listed in the Suspect Profiles.
02Motive — Why did they do it? Financial gain, self-protection, revenge, jealousy? Be specific — "greed" alone is insufficient. Cite the underlying cause.
03Method — How was it done? The weapon, substance, or physical action, plus any staging or deception involved.
04Key Evidence — Name at least two evidence pieces (by code, e.g. E04, E08) that prove your accusation. These are the pieces you would present in court.
05Key Contradiction — The single most damning inconsistency in the killer's alibi or story. This is usually the piece that breaks the case open.
06Confidence Level — Choose one: Certain / Confident / Probable / Uncertain. This does not affect scoring — it is a personal record of how sure you were at the time of filing. Reviewing this after the reveal is part of the post-game discussion.

The Team Verdict

After all individual sheets are filed, the Lead Detective reads them aloud and calls a majority vote. The team's collective accusation is announced publicly — this is the group's official verdict before the solution is opened. Individual scores are still calculated separately.

10

Scoring & Detective Ranks

Scores are calculated individually after the Solution Reveal. Open the Scoring Sheet on each player's device. Points are awarded for accuracy, evidence mastery, speed, and role performance. Hint penalties and false accusations reduce your total.

Core Points

Correct culprit identified (mandatory — no other points count without this) +40

Correct motive +20

Correct method +20

Named the key contradiction correctly (the piece that proves guilt) +10

Correct full timeline reconstruction (entry, death, staging, exit) +10

Bonus Points

Named all 3 culprit evidence trails correctly +15

Crime Scene Analyst: confirmed correct scene reconstruction in discussion +20

Interrogation Specialist: confirmed contradiction in group discussion during Rounds 1–3 +15

Zero hints used (full group) +10

Speed bonus: case solved under 60 minutes total +10

Speed bonus: case solved under 75 minutes total +5

Penalties

Hint Level 1 used (× number of uses) −5 each

Hint Level 2 used (× number of uses) −10 each

Hint Level 3 used (× number of uses) −20 each

False accusation on accusation sheet (× number of wrong suspects named) −15 each

Important — The Culprit Rule

If you name the wrong culprit, only the false accusation penalty applies. Core points (motive, method, contradiction, timeline) are only earned if you correctly identified the culprit first. Getting the method right but naming the wrong person scores zero on those fields.

After calculating your total, find your Detective Rank:

0 – 39	Rookie Investigator	Still learning the ropes.
40 – 79	Sharp Observer	You noticed things others missed.
80 – 109	Case Cracker	You solved the case. The bureau is proud.
110 – 139	Master Detective	Impressive. You see what others overlook.
140+	⚿ Bureau Legend	A career-defining performance.

11

The Hint System

Three tiered hints are available in every case. Hints are a last resort — they carry a team penalty and should only be used after genuine effort has stalled. The hint system is built on a group vote: you cannot open a hint without majority agreement.

Hint 1

Gentle Nudge

Redirects the group's attention toward the right area of the case without naming any evidence or suspects. A conceptual pointer — not a direct clue.

−5 pts

Hint 2

Stronger Direction

Points toward a specific evidence piece or timeline gap. Names the mechanism without identifying the culprit. Substantially reduces the search space.

−10 pts

Hint 3

The Key Contradiction

Points directly to the contradiction that proves guilt. Never names the culprit outright — but after reading this hint, the culprit should be identifiable. Highest penalty.

−20 pts

01Group vote required. The majority of players must agree before any hint is opened. One player cannot unilaterally request a hint.
02Penalty is applied immediately upon opening, not upon "using" the hint. If you open Hint 2 and find it obvious, the −10 still applies.
03Hints are cumulative. If you open Hint 2, you are assumed to have read Hint 1. You cannot skip Level 1 to get straight to Level 2.
04Hint penalties apply to all players equally. The Auto-Host tracks the total penalty, which is deducted from every player's score — not just the person who suggested using the hint.
05The Zero Hints bonus (+10 pts) is available only if the entire session completes without opening any hint level. It applies to all players.

When to Use Hints

A good rule of thumb: if the group has been in the same discussion loop for 10 minutes with no new evidence cited, and the Auto-Host nudge hasn't resolved the blockage, a Hint 1 is appropriate. Hints exist to keep the game moving — not to be hoarded as a point-saving strategy.

12

Auto-Host Mode

CaseBoard is designed to be fully self-hosted. No dedicated game master is required. The Auto-Host page handles all facilitation automatically — so every player at the table, including the person running the session, can play fully.

Open 00_Auto_Host.html on a shared screen at the start of the session. The Auto-Host provides:

—Phase management — Clear instructions for each phase displayed on the shared screen. Advances manually when the group is ready.
—Soft timer — A countdown that guides pacing without forcing hard stops. You advance manually — the timer is a reference, not a guillotine.
—Nudge system — If 80% of the phase timer has elapsed without a phase advance, a case-specific prompt appears to unstick the group.
—Progressive evidence unlocks — Pack B, the Accusation Sheet, Scoring Sheet, and Solution Reveal are all locked in the sidebar and unlock automatically as phases advance.
—Hint tracker — Three hint buttons with confirm dialogs. Penalties accumulate and display in real time.
—Phase transition overlays — A full-screen cinematic transition marks every phase change. Click anywhere to dismiss and start the next timer.
—Session notes — A freeform text area in the sidebar for jotting observations mid-game.

Screen Setup Recommendation

Place the Auto-Host on a TV or projector where everyone can see the timer and current phase. Individual players open their evidence on their own phones or laptops. This separation keeps the shared screen clean while each player manages their own dossier.

13

House Rules & Variants

CaseBoard is designed with specific mechanics, but groups can adjust the experience to match their style. These variants have been tested and work cleanly with the existing evidence structure.

★Extended Rounds (Relaxed Mode): Set all round timers to 30 minutes. No speed bonuses are available, but it removes time pressure entirely. Best for first-time groups or casual evenings.
★Speed Run (Expert Mode): Set all round timers to 12 minutes. Speed bonuses apply. Forces the group to prioritise immediately — there is no time for slow deliberation.
★No-Hint Run: Agree before the session starts that hints are off the table entirely. The Zero Hints bonus becomes significantly more meaningful. Recommended only for groups that have played at least one case before.
★Open Accusation: Instead of silent independent sheets, each player states their accusation aloud in reverse order (least experienced player first, Lead Detective last). No sheets, no scoring — just the experience of the reveal. Good for casual groups who don't want to track points.
★Role Lottery: Assign roles randomly rather than by player choice. Forces players to engage with evidence types outside their comfort zone.
★No-Timer Mode: Disable the Auto-Host timer entirely (set all values to 1 minute and pause immediately). Play at a completely free pace with no clock pressure. Best for very small groups (2–3) who want a pure deduction experience.

Replaying a Case

CaseBoard cases are single-solution — once you know the killer, the surprise is gone. However, the game scales well as a teaching tool: players who have solved a case can mentor new players through it, taking on a host-adjacent role rather than competing on score.

14

Quick Reference Card

Cut this section out or keep the page open during play. Everything you need in one view.

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CaseBoard — Session Quick Reference

Phase Order

Phase 0 — Setup & Briefing (5 min)

Round 1 — Pack A Evidence (20 min)

Round 2 — Alibi Testing (20 min)

Round 3 — Pack B Unlocked (20 min)

Accusation — Silent, independent (10 min)

Reveal — Score, then open solution

Scoring Summary

+40 Correct culprit

+20 Correct motive

+20 Correct method

+10 Key contradiction

+10 Correct timeline

+10 Zero hints (group)

−5/10/20 Hint 1/2/3

−15 False accusation

Critical Rules

Do not open Pack B before Round 3

No discussion during Accusation Phase

Hints require a group majority vote

Hint penalty applies immediately on open

Wrong culprit = no core points at all

Score first, then open Solution Reveal

All evidence is factual — no fake docs