Einstein Deduction #25
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The Case
A community election result is contested. Post-count analysis shows 14 ballots were altered. The ballot box had a tamper-evident seal that was broken and replaced. Six people were involved: Miriam (collector), Gael (transporter), Katarina (counter), Hugh (chairman), Phoebe (observer), and Leo (IT support for the counting software). Case file EINSTEIN-025.
Who tampered with the ballots?
Evidence (10)
#1Chain of custody: Miriam collected the ballot box at 7 PM, Gael transported it to locked storage at 7:20 PM, Katarina retrieved it for counting at 8 PM.
#2The tamper-evident seal was broken and replaced with a fresh one. Fresh seals are kept in the administrative supply closet.
#3Supply closet keys are held only by Miriam and Hugh.
#4Hugh was at the podium from 6:30 PM to 9 PM. Video footage confirms continuous presence.
#5Miriam took a 12-minute 'bathroom break' between collecting the ballot box (7 PM) and handing it to Gael (7:20 PM). She was alone with the box.
#6Gael received the sealed box from Miriam and went directly to storage. Security camera confirms the route.
#7Katarina retrieved the box from storage at 8 PM with two witnesses present. The seal appeared intact.
#8Leo had access to counting software but no physical access to the ballot box.
#9Phoebe was an assigned observer but was seated 10 meters from the ballot handling area.
#10The replacement seal's serial number matches a batch from the administrative supply closet. It was not from the original seal shipment.