FINGERPRINTS

Fingerprints Why do we have fingerprints? There are three types of fingerprints: Plastic- impression Latent- invisible to the naked eye Patent- visible prints

Plastic Fingerprints Definition: Fingerprints that leave ridge impressions in a substance, i.e. mud, clay Plastic Fingerprint Exercise Materials needed: Play dough/Clay Directions: Ask youth to press into the play dough and view the ridge impressions. Use a magnifying glass, if needed.

Latent Fingerprints Definition: Fingerprints that are invisible to the naked eye. Latent Fingerprint Exercise Materials needed: Magnifying glass, or smooth glass/plastic like surface Directions: Ask youth to rub fingers through their hair to pick up oils. Then place a fingerprint on the magnifying glass and view. Use another magnifying glass, if needed.

Patent Fingerprints Definition: Fingerprints that are visible to the naked eye. Patent Fingerprint Exercise Materials needed: Magnifying glass, ink pad, FBI Applicant fingerprint card, Ink remover wipes, Loop, Whorl, Arch cards, Pen/Pencil Directions: Ask youth to complete the FBI Applicant fingerprint card. Then, ask youth to fold the card at the line under right and left fingerprints. Roll fingerprints in ink pad to obtain a full print. The roll the finger in the corresponding box.

Patent Fingerprints Patent Fingerprint Exercise Continued Directions: Ask youth to use a magnifying glass and the loop, whorl, and arch cards to identify his/her fingerprint patterns. Write L, W, or A in the boxes to identify the prints.

Patent Fingerprint Exercise Continued Patent Fingerprints Patent Fingerprint Exercise Continued Image taken from: http://eisforexplore.blogspot.com/2012/12/are-you-loop-arch-or-whorl.html

Broader Scientific Applications Fingerprints Physics- Friction Biology- Integumentary System Genetics- Uniqueness