FINGERPRINTS

Activity 1

Review the PDF document titled Fingerprint Classification Overview with participants.
Review the PDF document titled Fingerprint Classification Exercise with participants.
Have participants complete the exercise as described in the instructions.
Review the results with the participants upon completion.

Review the PDF document titled Fingerprint Individualization Overview with participants.
Review the PDF document titled Fingerprint Individualization Exercises Instructions with participants.
Have participants complete the exercises one at a time in the order presented.
• Ridge Feature Recognition
• Ridge Counting
• Charted Enlargement (Loop)
• Charted Enlargement (Whorl)
• Charted Enlargement (Arch)

IMPORTANT! Using the PDF document titled Fingerprint Individualization Exercises Answer Key, advisors should review each exercise with the participants prior to allowing them to proceed to the next exercise

Using a computer and the internet, look up 5 criminal cases that involve fingerprint evidence.
Write a short summary of how fingerprints contributed to the resolution of each case.

Using a computer and the internet, look up universities and colleges that have accredited forensic science programs that have fingerprints as part of their curriculum.
Contact the colleges and universities and ask them for more information on their forensic science programs.

Arrange for a visit to a local, county, or state crime laboratory with an emphasis on the latent print section.
Reach out to a crime laboratory and ask them to send a latent print examiner to talk to participants.
Attend a trial where latent fingerprint evidence is being presented.
Contact a local CSI unit and request a guest speaker.
Contact a local police station and ask if participants can visit the police station and get an in-person demonstration of how fingerprints are recorded.