All of this year’s winners are returning champions, proof perhaps that practice makes perfect. Two are local; our first-place winner hails from across the pond in England.

First Place

Forensic'lly speaking it's true–
Archaeology buries the clue.
DNA brings to life
What was left on the knife ...
Proof it's me (or perhaps it was you?).

Doug Harris, Stockton-on-Tees, U.K

Second Place

On dark London streets damp with fog
Ran Jack the Ripper, a murderous dog.
"Soiled doves" quite annoyed him,
But they couldn’t avoid him. He’d attack, then continue his jog.

Pat Jackson, Ligonier, PA

Third Place

The site was predominantly Gneiss
Where the killer killed not once but twice.
Odd quartz grains in his shoes
Were the damaging clues
So the jury said, "Put him on ice!"

A. David Landsperger, Greensburg, PA