Freezer Mystery

When I trialed this lesson I did it with a top set Y8 and they really didn’t know enough to make get to a conclusion by the end of the lesson (1 hour). Despite not finishing it they really enjoyed it and said it was just like CSI. I am going to have another go with Y9.

William, known as Billy, is 10 years old. He has just moved into South Normanton area and wants to go out. He is supposed to be helping his mum to unpack but he keeps nagging her to go out. In the end she gives in. Billy goes exploring and finds a freezer which he climbs inside. At this point it is a good idea to explain that climbing into freezers, even modern ones which can be opened from the inside, is not a good idea. The fridge Billy is in is not one with a lid that opens from the inside. It is very old. Billy is trapped. His mobile’s battery is just about flat. He makes one call to the emergency services which is picked up by the two police receivers indicated on the aerial photo. Very sadly by the time the police get to him Billy has suffocated. At this point you may need to explain that it is fictional. The students, in groups of 6, are to consider themselves as part of an enquiry into whether or not the police could reasonably have got to Billy from Alfeton police station, before he died.

I do have a very short video of Billy but I can’t pass it on for data protection reasons.

Tragically, 27 children died from suffocation between 1980 and 1999 after becoming trapped in the freezers. The deaths occurred in non-working freezers stored outside, in basements or garages. Victims ranged in age from two to fourteen. In many cases, more than one child suffocated inside the freezer. C4CFW WHITE Chest freezer

Technical specification Attribute Value Benefit

Capacity Cuft 3.8 cuft The total internal storage capacity of the appliance An alphabetical classification going from "A" to "G" - An "A-Grade" Energy Energy Rating C Efficient machine will save you money by using less electricity and water Annual Energy 350 This indicates the power or electrical consumption of the appliance. The lower Consumption kwh/year the figure the less electricity it uses 9 kg/24 Freezing Capacity Indicates how quickly it freezes fresh food hours

Interior Light NO Improves the visibility of the interior of the appliance No of Baskets 1 For flexible storage and convenient access to food Temperature A visual warning that a safe low temperature cannot be maintained - action NO warning light can be taken to save your food before it defrosts and becomes wasted Power failure safe 20 hours storage Colour White

This document will form part of the official report into the death of William Hurt. It is your job to decide whether or not the Derbyshire Police took undue time to find William and thereby contributed to his death. It is not your duty to consider any other aspects of the case especially those concerning William’s home circumstances nor should you be diverted by considerations of how the freezer came to be where it was.

It is expected that your report will be in two sections and be followed by a conclusion. It is important that your report in written in such a way that a jury could follow your reasoning.

Part One:

The time that William could reasonably be expected to live after the lid of the freezer came down.

Part Two:

The time that the Derbyshire Constabulary took to locate and recover William.

Conclusion:

In our opinion the Police were/were not at fault in the death of William Hurt.