Fingerprint analysis is a fascinating way to explore individuality and forensic science. A lesson on this topic begins with an introduction to fingerprints, explaining their uniqueness and role in forensic investigations.
Use Google slides to show students the science of fingerprinting. It covers the three main fingerprint patterns—loops, whorls, and arches—using clear diagrams and descriptions to highlight their defining features. Students also learn about specific fingerprint structures, such as bifurcations, ridges, and islands.
Note: I modified this activity from Sciencespot.net which has a lot of other resources on forensic science.
A student handout follows the slides and includes areas for students to fill in vocabulary words. They will also label fingerprints shown in the slides and identify ridge structures.
Fingerprinting Your Hand
Next, students get hands-on by taking their own fingerprints using a fingerprint ink pad. They record their thumb, index, and middle finger prints on a printable diagram. Then students identify the core pattern type for each and locate ridge structures.
To wrap up, reflection questions encourage students to think critically about the uniqueness of their fingerprints and their applications in solving mysteries. This engaging activity blends science and self-discovery, making it perfect for sparking curiosity in forensic science and biology.
I have also ordered a latent fingerprinting kit to demonstrate how prints are “lifted” from objects that a suspect has handled. This kit is rather expensive and can be quite messy. You can even spin a tale about some crime committed in the classroom and show students how to lift the prints from object. Have a student be your accomplice and you can even have the class try to match his or her prints to the object.
Related Activities in Forensics
Calculating the Time of Death – explore the changes that occur in a body after death and use an equation to estimate time of death
Article: The Body Farm – read about a long-term study on decomposition
Forensic Lab on Blood Spatter – use artificial blood to explore explore a crime scene
