Detective Day / Fingerprint Dusting Lab
Fingerprint Dusting Lab
Children dust surfaces for fingerprints with cocoa powder, lift prints with tape and compare them to solve a mock case.
How to run it
- Have each child press an inked or greasy fingertip onto a glass or shiny card to leave a print.
- Show children how to gently brush cocoa powder over the print and blow off the excess.
- Lift the print with clear tape and stick it onto dark card.
- Compare the lifted prints with a suspect print chart using magnifying glasses to find a match.
You will need
- cocoa powder
- soft paintbrushes
- clear sticky tape
- dark card
- magnifying glasses
- ink pad
- suspect print chart
Make it easier or harderYounger children can simply make and compare their own ink prints; older children can classify loops, whorls and arches.
SafetyUse small amounts of cocoa to avoid inhaling dust, and check for chocolate allergies.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4Children investigate patterns and compare evidence to solve a problem.
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