Activity Overview
Become a detective in your own home by learning how to dust for and lift fingerprints off of any shiny flat surface. Every single fingerprint is unique and different and you can identify people by their exclusive prints. Try taking a sample of the fingerprints of your family members to make a family fingerprint database. Then try the steps in this fun activity to solve mysteries in your home.
Materials Needed
- Scissors
- Chalk
- Scotch Tape
- A glass or mirror
- A paper plate
- A soft paintbrush
How to Do It
- To start, press your finger against your forehead and then press that same finger onto a clean mirror or glass.
- Take a piece of chalk and hold it over a paper plate. Use the blade of the scissors to scrape the chalk which will create a chalk dust pile on the paper plate.
- Dip your dry paintbrush into the fine chalk dust and tap off the extra powder.
- Carefully tap your paintbrush over the top of the fingerprint and then blow the excess chalk away.
- Take a piece of Scotch tape and press it sticky side down onto the chalk covered fingerprint.
- Press the tape down flat and then peel it away.
- Examine the print.
