Hurumanu - Forensics/Fingerprints

Forensic Science

Definition: The application of scientific methods and techniques to matters under investigation by a court of law. 

5 Forensic Science topics:

1. DNA 
2. Fingerprints 
3. Ballistics 
4. Footprints 
5. Clothes

    

Finger prints

Fingerprint characteristics

Aim: To look at the different types of fingerprints.

Materials: 

1.  Balloon 
2.  Fingers 
3.  Ink pad 

Steps:

1. Roll your finger on the Ink Pad.  
2. Roll your finger on the balloon gently.  
3. Blow up the balloon.  
4. Look at the balloon and see what type of finger print you have.  
5. Take a photo of your finger print that's on the balloon.   

Insert two pictures here of your fingerprints

Ink prints

Thumb print	Index finger print

Record the types of fingerprints from those in your group.

Name	Fingerprint 1 (Thumb)	Fingerprint 2 (index finger)
Keyana	Loop	Didn't do hers
Anneleise	Didn't do it	Loop

Questions:

Do people always have the same type of fingerprint on their thumb and index finger? No
What was the most common type of fingerprint in your group? Loop

Conclusion: 

Today in Science we did two experiments about Forensics. I was paired up with my friend Keyana. We have been finding out what type of fingerprints we have and I found out that we both have the same type. What we used to find out our fingerprints was from a ink pad. We placed our thumb or index finger on the Ink Pad and rolled our finger gently on a balloon. After that we blew up the balloon and tried figuring out what type of finger print we have. 

I enjoyed doing this different experiment and I would like to do and find out more about my finger prints. 

   

Dusting fingerprints:

Lifting fingerprints

Aim: To learn how to lift hidden fingerprints from an object.

1. Lifting and Gathering fingerprints.

Equipment:

1. Plastic
2. White powder
3. Brush  
4. Tape  
5. Black paper 

Method: 

1. Get Plastic Paper. 
2. Get White Powder.  
3. Get the brush and dip it into the White Powder gently. 
4. Brush the powder all over the plastic lightly.  
5. Get black paper and place the plastic over it and watch if you can see your finger prints.
6. Get some tape and put it over one of your finger prints.
7. Then take a photo.

Results:

Lifted fingerprints

Thumb print	Index finger print
Loop	Whorl

Conclusion Questions:

What could you do to improve your results next time? I could improve our finger prints because we couldn't really see what type of finger print we have.   

Why do you think fingerprints are useful to crime scene investigators? So the investigators can go find the person who was guilty for there crime/situation.