|Feb 27 - March 03||work in the Case Study||none, see link to Case Study||Due: April 2, 2012 (period 4), April 4 (period 2)|
- How to write this report and general resources to help
Unit II: At the Crime Scene
History of Identification: Mutilations, Tatoos, and more
Friction Skin: the anatomony of fingerprints
Reference Card: Fingerprint Basics Card (PDF) - This two-sided handout replaces the worksheets for all of the fingerprint lessons.
Questions about the reference cards? See the note at the top of this page.
Fingerprint Guide (PDF) -
This one-page handout includes examples for all of the ridge patterns
and characteristics discussed in the fingerprinting lessons.
Other Fingerprinting Resources:
Fingerprint Challenge (PDF) - Students use their investigative skills to match fingerprint samples.
Fingerprint Analysis (PPT) - I use this activity with my students to analyze the distribution of fingerprint patterns in each class. After students complete the My Prints worksheet and classify their prints, they complete the top section of the Fingerprint Analysis worksheet. We calculate the percentages for each pattern and discuss how it relates to the expected percentages presented in class. We also analyze the distribution of patterns for males vs. females and discuss the results after students have completed the bottom section of the worksheet.
My Toe Prints worksheet (PDF) - Students are always interested in examining their toe prints to see how they compare to their fingerprints. Instead of using the incapax from the fingerprint unit, the students create their own "ink" by rubbing pencils on an index card and then pressing it to their toes. They use a piece of clear tape to lift the print and tape it to the correct spot on the worksheet.
Lip Print Activity (PDF) - Thanks to Dina Sbarra for sharing her lip print mystery activity. Shewent around the school and got lip marks from several teachers at her school on paper and then put them in sheet protectors. She had one teacher also mark their lips on a plastic cup (the criminal that destroyed her room). She toilet papered my room and the students had to find out who did it. She put the lip prints on the screen so they could look at the various types to help them classify the lip prints and identify the one from the culprit.
Hairs & Fibers Note Worksheet (PDF) - Student worksheet for the presentation.
Hair Lab Worksheet (PDF) - Students examine their own hair sample as well as other animal hairs to complete this worksheet.
Worksheet: Impression Evidence Notes (PDF)
Tire Tracks Challenge (PDF) - This lesson idea was submitted by Sandy Powell, a member of the Middle School Science Yahoo Group. The activity challenges students to match tire tracks of 8-10 small toy cars. Teacher information, a student worksheet, and a sample page of my challenge are provided in the download. A PowerPoint is available to introduce the activity and challenge.
Tool Marks Challenge (PDF) - This activity challenges students to match tool impressions from a set of 12 tools. Teacher information and a student worksheet are provided in the download. Also available ... my challenge page and a PowerPoint to introduce the activity and challenge.
Need materials for a
tool mark identification lab? Visit
Precision Forensic Tesing
to see their tool mark identification kit.
They also offer an accessory kit and poster. Be sure to check
Basic Firearms and
other materials for exploring
Bite Mark Evidence (PDF) - This activity allows students to practice making and analyzing bite mark impressions using stryrofoam plates and a variety of soft candy. This activity goes along with the material presented in the introductory presentation listed above. A PowerPoint is available for this activity.