Science Challenge

Day Seven Science Challenge: Forensic Science

• Forensic science is the discipline in which professionals use scientific means to analyze physical crime evidence. This evidence is then presented in court in order to help determine the innocence or guilt of a specific suspect.

• Today you will use different methods to explore finger printing.

  • Method 1: If you have clay/silly putty/playdough/model magic/mud (??) , try pressing each finger into it to see if you can see the details of your fingerprint.

  • Method 2: Press your finger(s) into a powdery substance (baby powder, flour, confectioner's sugar, baking powder) and then press your finger on the sticky side of clear tape (packing tape works really well if you have it or scotch tape)

  • Method 3: You can also try "dusting" for fingerprints. Dusting involves using a brush to put powder onto places that you think people in your family may have left prints. Use a brush to "dust" over where the suspected prints are and then gently press a piece of tape over the area and then "lift" the prints off of the surface. Check our tape to see if you got any evidence.

  • Method 4: If you have an ink pad, you can press your fingers into the ink and then make finger prints on paper.

  • Method 5: Use a washable marker (sharpies are not washable) to color your finger pads and print them on paper.

  • Method 6: Cocoa Powder Prints

• Now see if you can identify what common finger print patterns you have in your finger prints. Here is a link to the 8 most common finger print patterns.

• Take a picture of your work and submit it

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