Appropriate grades or age groups:
K - 5

Estimated time to complete this project:
2-3 weeks

Materials:
finger printing ink
glass plate
roller
handy wipes
log book
pencil

Instructions:
1) Research the uniqueness of every person? thumbprint. Why are no two alike, even if you are related?

2) Visit your local police station to gather information on how police use the thumbprint as a form to identify each person alive.

(3) The police might be able to show you how they use computers as a tracking system. What did they do before computers?

4) If you can? find your supplies locally and the police don? have kits, you can order your supplies from Faurot Inc., New York, NY 10007. Tell them that you need a roller, a glass sheet and finger printing ink.

5) To make a print, you dab a tiny amount of ink on to your glass. Roll the roller back and forth and smooth out the surface, place thumb onto ink and press firmly, without moving on the glass. Lift thumb and press firmly onto paper (could go directly into logbook), gently press your finger over the outside of thumb for clearer print. Lift thumb, record person? name and age.

6) Have your child make observations of similarities and differences. They will learn to become good detectives.