Fingerprints: Crime-Solving Science Experiments

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Like a TV program, this book opens with a murder case. With the help of crime scene technicians and the analysis of finger prints the murderer is caught and sentenced for his crime. Fingerprinting is really not that new, but its use in solving crimes is. Young readers are encouraged to try their hand at obtaining and examining finger prints. The book is divided into two parts—chapters provide real examples demonstrating how fingerprint analysis is used to solve a crime, while the second part describes how fingerprints are collected and interpreted. The second part of the book is well illustrated with diagrams, actual close up shots of finger prints, types of prints, and analysis. Once you have completed this book, you might be curious enough to examine your own prints (which you will now know how to do) and see what categories they fall in. The sections relating to the falsification of finger prints and other tricks are interesting and better than watching CSI or other programs because you get to conduct the experiments yourself. Most of the materials required can be obtained without undue difficulty and the instructions are clear. The book, which is part of the "Forensic Science Projects" series, also discusses the burgeoning field of biometrics. Who knows, this may end up being a career path for some readers.

VOYA - Victoria Vogel

For those librarians and educators looking for some appealing additions to their collections of science project books, this series fits the bill. Budding forensic scientists will enjoy projects that replicate actual crime-solving techniques. The titles are similar in format. They open with a description of an actual crime that was cracked using the specific crime-solving method, followed by a general overview of the procedure and how the scientific method was used in the investigation. Both titles contain projects in which the procedure can be practiced, along with a chapter in which the methods can be used to solve actual crimes. Fingerprints contains a description of how latent fingerprint identification was used to implicate Timothy McVeigh in the bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal Building. A project in which students can practice the same steps used by the investigators appears next. Hair, Clothing, and Tire Track Evidence describes a case in which fabric identification and comparison was used to implicate two terrorists involved in the explosion of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Then students can participate in a project that allows them to replicate these same methods by analyzing the weave patterns of a selection of fabrics. Some science projects require scientific equipment or the use of hazardous substances such as crazy glue. Adult supervision might be needed. Both titles include appendixes in which companies that sell the equipment and supplies required in the projects are listed. Both titles are well organized and easy to follow and contain photographs of actual evidence and clear illustrations. Middle school and public libraries will want thisseries, which also includes books on forgery and blood and DNA evidence.