FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol: The Playground Case All Clues (B/S Rank Guide)

To find all clues in the FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol Playground Case for a B/S rank, you must locate 11 key pieces of evidence distributed across three main zones: the sandbox and slide, the swingset and perimeter fence, and the locked maintenance shed. Missing even one of these can drop your rating, so a systematic approach is critical. This guide breaks down the exact location and analysis requirements for every piece of evidence needed to reconstruct the timeline and achieve a perfect score on your first run.

This case, officially designated Case 01-B, serves as your introduction to the Mobile Examiner unit's core mechanics. Success here isn't just about finding items; it's about linking them through observation and using your suite of forensic tools correctly. The environment is small, but the details are dense.

01

First Steps: Gear Check and Initial Sweeptag

Before you start bagging and tagging, get your bearings. The playground is comprised of three distinct areas of interest. Your initial sweep should be purely observational. Do not interact with anything yet. Equip your standard-issue M.E. visor and perform a slow walk around the perimeter, from the gate and moving clockwise. The goal is to let the visor's passive scanning function highlight potential interaction points, which will appear as faint yellow outlines.

Your essential loadout for this case includes:

• Evidence Markers & Baggies: You have more than enough, but don't be wasteful.
• M.E. Visor: Your primary tool. Its passive scan and active analysis modes are both required.
• UV Light Emitter: Crucial for uncovering latent evidence not visible to the naked eye.
• Fingerprint Kit: Includes powder and lifters for processing smooth surfaces.
• Sampling Kit: For collecting fibers, soil, and other trace evidence.

The most common mistake players make is rushing to the most obvious clue (the scuff marks near the slide) and contaminating the surrounding area. Treat the scene with methodical patience. Your first actionable step should be to photograph the entire scene from the entrance gate before proceeding further.

02

Zone 1: The Sandbox and Slide Areatag

This area contains the first cluster of evidence and sets the initial narrative for the case. The clues here suggest a struggle and a hasty departure. Approach the large plastic slide first.

Finding the Scuff Marks and Footprinttag

At the base of the slide, your M.E. visor will immediately flag a large, dark scuff mark in the wood chips. Activate the visor's analysis mode to scan it. This is Clue #1: Scuff Marks. The analysis will reveal they are composed of vulcanized rubber, consistent with a shoe heel dragging under force.

Just to the left of the scuff marks, in a patch of damp sand, is a partial shoeprint. This is Clue #2: Partial Footprint. It's easy to miss if the in-game lighting is low. Use your camera to capture it first, then use the sampling kit to take a cast. The print is from a size 9 work boot, a detail that becomes critical later.

Unearthing the Buried Lockettag

Now, turn your attention to the sandbox itself. Near the corner closest to the swingset, your visor should pick up a small metallic glint under the surface. You'll get a prompt to brush away the sand. Doing so reveals Clue #3: Silver Locket. Bag this item. Back at the mobile lab, you'll be able to open it and find a faded photograph, linking the item to the victim. The chain is broken, indicating it was likely ripped from the owner's neck.

03

Zone 2: The Swingset and Perimeter Fencetag

This section holds subtle but vital trace evidence. Many players secure the sandbox clues and head straight for the shed, completely missing the items that establish the perpetrator's presence and actions.

The Torn Fabric Scraptag

Move to the swingset. On the A-frame support closest to the chain-link fence, look closely at the rusted bolts about four feet up. Your visor will highlight Clue #4: Torn Fabric Scrap snagged on one of the bolts. This is a tiny but crucial piece of evidence. Use the sampling kit to collect it. The lab analysis will later confirm it's a denim fiber, but more importantly, it contains trace elements of industrial solvent.

The Fiber on the Fencetag

Follow the fence line away from the gate, towards the back of the playground. About halfway down, you'll find a section where the chain-link is bent outwards. A passive scan with the visor will reveal Clue #5: Red Fiber. This is another piece of trace evidence that is easily missed. Collect it with the sampling kit. This fiber is the lynchpin that connects the suspect to the scene, as it will later match a piece of clothing found in their possession.

The Discarded Cigarettetag

At the very back corner of the playground, tucked behind a small bush near the fence, is Clue #6: Cigarette Butt. The brand is a local off-brand, but the key is the saliva residue. Bag it for DNA analysis. This provides the DNA profile of a potential suspect who was waiting or observing from a concealed position.

04

Zone 3: The Maintenance Shed Puzzletag

This is the final and most complex area of the investigation, requiring you to solve a simple environmental puzzle to access the clues inside. The shed is locked with a four-digit combination lock.

Finding the Combination Codetag

The code is not written down in one place. You must find three numbers and infer the fourth and the sequence.

1. First & Second Digits (7, 2): Go back to the park bench between the sandbox and the main gate. On the armrest, someone has carved "72". Scan this with your visor to log it as a potential code fragment.
2. Third Digit (9): Head to the exterior of the maintenance shed. To the right of the locked door, there are nine empty flower pots stacked together. This is an environmental cue. Interact with them to confirm the count.
3. Fourth Digit (4) & Sequence: This is the tricky part. Equip your UV Light Emitter and shine it on the shed door, specifically around the lock. Four fingerprints will glow under the UV light, but one will be much brighter and more distinct on the number '4' button of an imaginary keypad. This indicates it was the last number pressed. The UV light also reveals a faint arrow drawn from top to bottom, indicating the numbers on the bench are the start of the sequence.

So, the code is 7-2-9-4. Enter this into the combination lock to open the shed door.

Inside the Shed: The Final Cluestag

Once inside, the final pieces of the puzzle will fall into place. The small space is filled with gardening tools and supplies.

• Clue #7: Discarded Work Gloves: On a shelf to your left, you'll find a pair of work gloves. Scan them. The analysis reveals the same industrial solvent found on the fabric scrap from the swingset.
• Clue #8: Empty Bleach Bottle: On the floor in the corner is an empty plastic bottle. Bag it. It's a bottle of industrial-strength bleach, suggesting an attempt to clean up or destroy evidence.
• Clue #9: Shovel with Soil: Leaning against the back wall is a shovel. The blade has soil on it that, when scanned, matches the soil composition from a disturbed patch of ground just outside the playground fence. This is Clue #10: Soil Sample on Shovel.
• Clue #11: Muddy Work Boots: Under the shelf, partially hidden, is a pair of size 9 work boots. This is the smoking gun. Scan them to get Clue #11: Work Boots. The tread pattern is a perfect match for the partial footprint you cast near the slide.

With all 11 clues collected, you can now return to the mobile lab and begin synthesis. Piecing these together will create a clear timeline of events, leading to the identification of the groundskeeper as the primary suspect and securing you the B/S rank.

05

Frequently Asked Questionstag

How do I get the S rank in the Playground Case? The S rank requires not only finding all 11 clues but also completing the evidence synthesis phase in the mobile lab under a specific time limit (usually 5 minutes) and with no incorrect logic connections. Efficiency is key.

What happens if I miss a clue? Missing a clue will lower your final rank. Missing a critical clue like the Work Boots or the Red Fiber can drop you to a C or D rank and alter the final case dialogue, suggesting the suspect has a higher chance of being acquitted.

Is the shed code always 7-2-9-4? Yes, for Case 01-B, the code is fixed. In later cases, some puzzle elements have randomized solutions, but the playground combination remains static for all players.

Can I re-play the case if I get a bad rank? Yes, you can access previously completed cases from the main terminal in your office. This allows you to go back and find any clues you missed to improve your score.

06

Final Analysistag

The Playground Case is a masterclass in environmental storytelling, teaching you to look beyond the obvious and use your full toolset. Every clue, from the tiniest fiber to the muddy boots in the shed, is placed deliberately to build a narrative of struggle, pursuit, and a failed attempt at a cover-up. Achieving the B/S rank is proof of methodical work, demonstrating that you have absorbed the core principles of the M.E. Protocol. Now you're ready for the more complex cases ahead.