Running Head: EVIDENCE AND INVESTIGATION FINGERPRINT LESSON

Evidence and Investigation Fingerprint Lesson

Dakota Mattson
University of Lethbridge

EVIDENCE AND INVESTIGATION FINGERPRINT LESSON

Name: Dakota Mattson
Grade/Subject: 6/Science
Lesson Duration: 30 min.
Date: October 4th, 2016
KSAs: 3, 5, 6, 11

Unit: D Evidence and Investigation

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

General Learning Outcomes:
6-8: Apply observation and inference skills to recognize and interpret patterns and
distinguish a specific pattern from a group of similar patterns.
Specific Learning Outcomes:
3. Recognize that evidence found at the scene of an activity may have unique
characteristics that allow the investigator to make inferences about the participants and
the nature of the activity, and give examples of how specific evidence may be used.
4. Investigate evidence and link it to a possible source by:
- classifying fingerprints collected from a variety of surfaces
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
1. Identify how fingerprints can be used to help solve a crime.
2. Categorize fingerprints as arches, loops, whorls, or composites.
3. Determine a match from a set of given fingerprints.
ASSESSMENTS
1) I will ask the class to categorize fingerprint examples to check for comprehension.
(LO # 2)
2) I will observe students as they categorize their fingerprints and discuss results with a
partner. (LO # 2)
3) Students will complete a worksheet where they match a culprit fingerprint to one
of the presented suspect fingerprints. (LO # 1/3)
4) Students will write a 1-2 sentence response explaining why they chose the
fingerprint they did. (LO # 1/2/3)
LEARNING RESOURCES CONSULTED
Resource # 1: Alberta Education. (1996). Science 1-6 Program of Study. Edmonton,
Alberta: Alberta Education
Resource # 2: LearnAlberta. (2007) Wonderville: Case of the Kidnapped Cat. Retrieved
from http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/wonckc/html/index.html
Resource # 3: PeirceforOhio. (2016). Fingerprint Patterns Worksheet. Retrieved from
http://peirceforohio.com/worksheet/fingerprint-patterns-worksheet.html

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Slideshow with fingerprint examples for categorization
Inkpads (1/group of 4-5 students)

EVIDENCE AND INVESTIGATION FINGERPRINT LESSON

Personal fingerprint sheet (1/student)

Fingerprint matching sheet (1/student)
Wash bucket, soap, and paper towels.
PROCEDURE
Introduction (2 minutes):
Advanced Preparation: Arrange student desks in groups of 4-5. Fill a wash bucket with
warm water so students do not have to leave the room to wash
ink off of hands
Hook/Attention Grabber: Did you know that no two people in the world have the
same fingerprints?
Assessment of Prior Knowledge: Does anybody know how fingerprints can be used to
help solve a crime?
Expectations for Learning and Behaviour: For part of the class today we will be
working in partners. I think you will all like this assignment, but I expect you
to keep your voices down so we can all get our work done.
Transition to Body: Today we are going to learn about the different kinds of
fingerprints, and see how those could be used to solve a crime.
Body (25 minutes):
Learning Activity #1: Instruction (4 minutes)
- Reiterate that every fingerprint is unique
- Since they are unique, police investigators can use them to find out who was at
the crime scene
- Introduce the four types of fingerprint patterns (whorl, arch, loop, composite)
using pictures on the SmartBoard.
Assessment/Differentiation: Show visual examples of the four types of fingerprint
patterns, have students classify them as a class. (LO # 2)
Learning Activity #2: Personal fingerprint categorization (13 minutes)
- I will demonstrate how to take a good fingerprint to the class.
- Students will record their own fingerprints from their left hand on a sheet
provided (Worksheet A) using the ink pad provided. (Wash bucket located in
classroom to wash hands after)
- They will then categorize their prints as either a whorl, arch, loop, or composite
patterns.
- Once finished, students will get together in groups of 2-3 and compare
fingerprints while justifying their answers.
Assessment/Differentiation: Student progress will be observed during the process, and
completed sheet will be handed in to check for
understanding. (LO # 2)

EVIDENCE AND INVESTIGATION FINGERPRINT LESSON

Learning Activity #3: Matching fingerprints (8 minutes)

- Students will be given a worksheet (Worksheet B) with a fingerprint obtained
from a crime scene as well as multiple suspect fingerprints
- Students will identify which of the provided fingerprints best matches the one
obtained from the crime scene
- Once done, students will write a 1-2 sentence explanation for their choice and
hand this worksheet in.
Assessment/Differentiation: - Students will identify a match for the fingerprint obtained
from the crime scene (LO # 1/2/3)
- Students will explain their reasoning behind their choice
(LO # 1/2/3)
Sponge Activity: If students are completed early, they can record the fingerprints on
their right hand to compare to the ones from their left hand.
Closure (3 minutes):
Consolidation/Assessment of Learning: I want you to find one person in the classroom
whose thumb has the same fingerprint pattern as you. Even though they have the same
pattern are they the same fingerprint?
Feedback from Students: Have students hand in both worksheets to check for
understanding
Feedback to Students: Good work today, you are all on your way to becoming
forensic investigators
Transition to Next Lesson: Next lesson we will look at some other forms of evidence
that we can use to investigate a crime.
ACCOMODATIONS
- Students who do not want to take their own fingerprints, or those who have difficulty
getting good quality fingerprints with the inkpads can be given a generic fingerprint sheet
to work with so they still reach the learning objectives.
Reflection:

EVIDENCE AND INVESTIGATION FINGERPRINT LESSON

Worksheet A:
NAME:

DATE:

MY FINGERPRINTS

Loop

Whorl

Arch

My Left Hand:
Thumb

Pointer

Middle

Ring

Pinky

Middle

Ring

Pinky

My Right Hand:
Thumb

Pointer

EVIDENCE AND INVESTIGATION FINGERPRINT LESSON

Worksheet B:
NAME:

DATE:

Fingerprint Matching
This fingerprint was found by police at a crime scene.
It is your job to discover which of the suspect
fingerprints below is a match. Only one print matches.
Look carefully at the patterns.

Which print matches?

Explain your reasoning: