BrainMaze

Cold Case Detective Files • Printable • Instant Download

Cold case files for true crime fans

3 printable detective investigation files. Solo or small group — no timer, self-paced. Examine evidence, read witness statements, solve the case.

🔎 Solo Play 👫 Date Night 👥 Small Groups 🕵️ True Crime Fans
How cold case games work →

3 games

What is a cold case detective file?

Evidence, deduction, and the truth

A cold case file is a detective investigation game in printed dossier format. You receive a full case file — evidence photographs, witness statements, autopsy reports, and police notes — and your job is to read through everything and figure out who did it, how, and why.

Unlike escape rooms, there's no timer and no "escape" — just careful reading and deduction. Solo-friendly and completely self-paced. Perfect for a quiet evening with a drink and a thinking mindset.

Full beginner's guide →

What you receive

  • 📂 Full case dossier (PDF)
  • 📸 Evidence photographs
  • 🗣️ Witness statements
  • 🔬 Autopsy / forensic report
  • 📋 Police investigation notes
  • 📥 Instant PDF download

Perfect for

Who plays cold case games?

🕵️

True Crime Fans

If you listen to true crime podcasts or watch detective documentaries, cold case files feel satisfyingly realistic.

👫

Couples & Date Nights

Solve a case together over dinner or drinks. No loud group needed — cold cases are made for 1–4 players.

👥

Small Groups

Works brilliantly with 2–6 people. Each person takes a different document to read and presents their findings.

📚

Solo Players

The only BrainMazeGames format designed for solo play. Curl up with the evidence and take your time.

🌙

Quiet Evenings In

No prep time, no group to organise. Print it out, pour a drink, and disappear into the case for a couple of hours.

🎓

Deduction Enthusiasts

If you love crosswords, logic puzzles, or detective novels, cold case files give you the same satisfaction in game form.

Investigation tips

Getting the most from your case file

1

Lay out all the evidence first

Before reading in depth, spread out all the documents and photographs so you can see the full picture at once.

2

Read every document carefully

Details buried in witness statements often contradict other documents. The truth is always in the evidence — you just have to find it.

3

Build a suspect timeline

Noting down who was where and when helps you spot the inconsistencies that point to the killer.

4

Don't rush — enjoy the process

There's no timer and no pressure. The enjoyment is in the investigation itself, not just the reveal at the end.

More cases & bundles available

Want to investigate more?

We have cold case bundles and additional titles on our Etsy shop — great value if you want to work through multiple cases.

⭐ 4.9 • 180+ reviews • Instant digital download