Classroom Curriculum
< BackFingerprint ForensicsDownload
Background
No two fingerprints in the world are exactly alike. Everybody has at least 150 individual ridge characteristics on each fingerprint. Forensic scientists and detectives take advantage of this when solving crimes. Our hands are constantly producing sweat and oil – even on our fingertips. Whenever you touch something, that sweat and oil
makes the same pattern that is seen on your fingertips. Often times, criminals leave their fingerprints behind. The police use special tools including fingerprint powder, brushes, and special lights to see the fingerprints that are often invisible to our eyes.
Materials
- Ink pad
- Wet wipes
- Fingerprint chart
- Fingerprint card
- Magnifier
Procedure
1. Place the end of your right thumb onto the ink pad. Make sure to use enough ink to cover your thumb tip.
2. Place your thumb into the correct box on the fingerprint card. Start on one edge of your thumb and roll it across to the other edge.
3. Repeat steps 1-2 with your other fingers.
4. Be sure to wipe the ink off your fingers using the wet wipes.
5. Look at your prints. Use the magnifier and compare your prints to the Fingerprint Chart. Are they all the same? Do you see any loops, arches, or whorls?
6. Compare your prints to someone else’s. Are there any similarities to yours?
Exhibits: | Kidtropolis |
Grades: | 3rd4th5th |
Subjects: | Physical Science |
TEKS: | false |
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