Fingerprints are a mysterious collection of whorls and arches. Although each one is different, there are similarities. Students can learn about prints and how to classify them using an interactive whiteboard.

Lesson Description:

Students begin by learning to identify the general types of fingerprint patterns. Using the whiteboard, they examine the complexities of prints, identifying patterns by name. Next, students study a large picture of a scanned print and use a wireless slate to circle and identify the patterns they have learned. They then take their own prints and label them.

Subject Area:

This lesson is part of a forensic-science curriculum that high school students can take as a third-year science class. The lesson can be modified for middle school students as well.

Curriculum Standards:

This lesson meets the following standards from Nevada and the International Society for Technology in Education.

Nevada:

• Students know the human body has a specialized anatomy and physiology composed of a hierarchical arrangement of differentiated cells.
• Students know scientific knowledge builds on previous information.

ISTE:

• Students understand and use technology systems.

Resources:

There are several websites that are useful.

• The History of Fingerprints: onin.com/fp/fphistory.html.
• Latent Print Examination: onin.com/fp/
• History on Fingerprints: www.essortment.com/all/fingerprinthist_rmmv.htm
• Taking Legible Fingerprints: www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/takingfps.html

Grading Rubric:

Students are scored on a review sheet that quizzes them on print type and identification. The wireless-slate activity is a classwide program to allow participation to identify the many characteristics of each print.

Teaching Tips:

• Make sure the print you use is clear and has many distinct details before you scan it.
• To avoid mistakes and wasted time, it helps if your class already knows how to use the wireless slate.
• Be positive and encouraging. It is an easy lesson, but students can apply what they learn here in many other situations.

Petrina McCarty-Puhl is a forensic science teacher at Robert McQueen High School in the Washoe County (Nev.) School District.