A cyber-security expert was found dead in front of his multi-monitor workstation. The screens showed complex code, and his coffee cup was warm. Detective Cruz noticed the optical mouse was unplugged. What did this tell her?
The staged scene was set up in a hurry
The victim was a meticulous professional who would never leave a mouse unplugged while working on complex code, indicating the entire workstation layout was hastily arranged after his death.
About this riddle
Detective riddles are tiny mysteries. Look for the detail in the story that does not fit; it is usually the clue that solves the case.
Difficulty: Medium. More like this: Detective riddles with answers or try Truth & Lie Island for a different kind of puzzle.
More detective riddles
Five guests sign the hotel log one by one, and the manager remembers only these facts. Luca signed before Gwen. Dmitri signed before Felix. Gwen signed before Dmitri. Hugo signed before Luca. Who signed third?
The pencil is bigger than the ruler, and the ruler is bigger than the book. Which one is the smallest?
Detective Grant investigated a break-in at a jewelry store. The owner insisted the thief smashed the front glass window from the outside to steal the diamonds. Grant inspected the glass shards scattered across the sidewalk and immediately arrested the owner for insurance fraud. What gave the owner away?
Detective Holmes inspected a ransom note cut out from yesterday's newspaper. The kidnapper demanded one million dollars. Holmes immediately knew the ransom note was fake because the newspaper date printed at the top of the clipping was a Sunday edition, but yesterday was a Wednesday. Who sent the note?
Detective Cole investigated a warehouse break-in where a safe was blown open with explosives. The warehouse manager swore he heard nothing during the night, despite living in the apartment directly above the warehouse floor. Cole tested the manager's hearing, found it to be normal, and arrested him for insurance fraud. Why?
A famous yacht captain was found murdered in his cabin on a calm sea. The ship's logbook was open on his desk, and the last entry, written in his own handwriting, was dated October 12th at midnight: 'Approaching storm, dropping anchor.' The coroner established the time of death as October 10th at noon. How did the detective know the logbook entry was a fake?