The Curse of the Burial Dagger: Forensic Science Game for ages 10 upwards

A mansion near Dundee, 1923. Susie Sato finds herself investigating a murder when her great-uncle and host Lord Hamilton is found dead in his private museum, an ancient Egyptian burial dagger protruding from his back. Could it be the curse of the dagger, an object Lord Hamilton was warned not to remove from the tomb? Or could something else have caused his death?

The Curse of the Burial Dagger is an interactive graphic novel murder mystery, suitable for players aged 10+. Help Susie uncover different types of forensic evidence, solve puzzles and weigh up contrasting hypotheses. Can you uncover the events leading up to Lord Hamilton’s death and deduce how he died… before the curse strikes again?

The Curse of the Burial Dagger is a collaboration between the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science and former theatre company Fast Familiar. Their previous critically-acclaimed collaboration, The Evidence Chamber, was described by The New York Times as ‘relentless innovation’, offering a glimpse of the future of online performance, and has been shortlisted for a Times Higher Education award.

The Curse of the Burial Dagger came about after Fast Familiar pivoted to making online puzzle games during lockdown, and discovered just how transferable their theatre-making skills were. Past games include Bad Altitude - ’a cut above the rest and needs to be played to be believed!” 5*, The Escape Room-er; and National Elf Service - ‘Refreshingly different (and beautifully assembled)’, 4*, Review the Room.

While many puzzle games and escape rooms are crime-themed, The Curse of the Burial Dagger was actually developed with forensic scientists, who inputted on the game’s content - and the circumstances of the murder that lies at the heart of the story.

The Curse of the Burial Dagger can be played at any time online. The ticket price (£20) includes up to 6 people. You can buy it from our website.