Study
Your ability to learn from observation, through scientific research, or by reading and learning.
Check: A Character will generally use a Perception check to discover clues and the Study skill to analyze the information or attempt to learn from it in some way.
Analyze Clue
The character can make an Study check to apply forensics knowledge to a clue. This function of the Study skill does not give the character clues where none existed before. It simply allows the character to extract extra information from a clue he or she has found. The base DC to analyze a clue is 15. It is modified by the time that has elapsed since the clue was left, and whether or not the scene was disturbed.
| Circumstances | DC Modifier |
|---|---|
| Every day since event (max modifier +10) | 2 |
| Scene is outdoors | 5 |
| Scene slightly disturbed | 2 |
| Scene moderately disturbed | 4 |
| Scene extremely disturbed | 6 |
Collect Evidence
The character can collect and prepare evidentiary material for a lab. This use of the Study skill requires an evidence kit. To collect a piece of evidence, make an Study check (DC 15). If the character succeeds, the evidence is usable by a crime lab. If the character fails, a crime lab analysis can be done, but the lab takes a –5 penalty on any necessary check. If the character fails by 5 or more, the lab analysis simply cannot be done. On the other hand, if the character succeeds by 10 or more, the lab gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its checks to analyze the material. This function of the Investigate skill does not provide the character with evidentiary items. It simply allows the character to collect items he or she has found in a manner that best aids in their analysis later, at a crime lab.
Researching a Topic/Item/Event
Researching a topic takes time, skill, and some luck. The GM determines how obscure a particular topic is (the more obscure, the higher the DC) and what kind of information might be available depending on where the character is conducting his or her research. Information ranges from general to protected. Given enough time (usually 1d4 hours) and a successful skill check, the character gets a general idea about a given topic. This assumes that no obvious reasons exist why such information would be unavailable, and that the character has a way to acquire restricted or protected information. The higher the check result, the better and more complete the information. If the character wants to discover a specific fact, date, map, or similar bit of information, add +5 to +15 to the DC.
Try Again
Generally, analyzing a clue again doesn’t add new insight unless another clue is introduced. Evidence collected cannot be recollected, unless there is more of it to take. A character can take 10 and 20 when making an Study check. Analyzing a clue is a full-round action. Collecting evidence generally takes 1d4 minutes per object. Lab work and research can take at minimal 1 hour.
Special
- Collecting evidence requires an evidence kit. If the character does not have the appropriate kit, the character takes a –4 penalty on his or her check.
- A character with the Attentive feat and at least 1 rank in this skill gets a +2 bonus on all Investigate checks.