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Cub Scout Adventures > 
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 Forensics > 
Fingerprint Fun
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Bear – 3rd Grade
Forensics
Elective
Requirement 2

Fingerprint Fun

Bear – 3rd Grade
Forensics
Elective
Requirement 2

Fingerprint Fun

Snapshot of Activity

Cub Scouts learn the different patterns in fingerprints and analyze their own fingerprints.

Indoor
2
3
2
If you want to know more about The Adventure Activity Key click here.
  • Fingerprint Card found in Additional Resources
  • Fingerprint Patterns found in Additional Resources
  • White cardstock
  • Printer
  • 2 pads of dark ink, black, blue or red work best
  • Baby wipes
  • Magnifying glass, one for each Cub Scout
  • Scratch paper for practice

Before the meeting:

  1. Print one Fingerprint Card on white cardstock for each Cub Scout.
  2. Print a single copy of Fingerprint Patterns.
  3. Gather the supplies.
  4. Set up meeting space so Cub Scouts have an area to do their fingerprinting.

During the meeting:

  1. Let Cub Scouts know that fingerprints are skin patterns on the ends of your fingers and thumbs. Their fingerprints are different from those of everyone else on earth. Even identical twins have different fingerprints! When we touch things, we always leave fingerprints even if we cannot see them! That’s because our skin produces sweat and oil.
  2. Explain that because everyone has unique fingerprints, law enforcement officers can use them to figure out who was at a crime scene. Using the Fingerprint Pattern worksheet, show Cub Scouts the fingerprint patterns and point out differences.
  3. Tell Cub Scouts that now they will get to investigate their own fingerprints.
  4. Make sure Cub Scouts’ hands are clean and dry so ink can stick to fingers.
  5. Demonstrate how to take a fingerprint.
    1. Extend one finger at a time while tucking under the other four fingers.
    2. Roll the finger on the ink pad so the entire fingerprint pattern area is evenly covered with ink. The ink should cover from one edge of the nail to the other and from the crease of the first joint to the tip of the finger. Try not to push too firmly on the pad, you don’t want the finger to have too much ink.
    3. Roll each finger from nail to nail in the appropriate space on fingerprint card. Make sure to lift each finger up straight up after rolling to avoid smearing and smudging.
  6. Have each Cub Scout decide which hand they want fingerprinted.
  7. Have each Cub Scout practice fingerprinting a finger or two on a piece of scratch paper until they feel they have the technique down.
  8. Give each Cub Scout a fingerprint card to take their “real” fingerprints.
  9. Once each finger is printed give Cub Scout a baby wipe to clean the ink off.
  10. Give each Cub Scout a magnifying glass and a fingerprints patterns sample.
  11. Have each Cub Scout share with a buddy what patterns they see in their fingerprints. Are they the same as their buddy?

Tip: Combine this activity with requirement 1 “Solve the Mystery.”

Additional Resources

Fingerprint Card

Bear Forensics 2 Fingerprint Patterns

Other Activities Options

You can choose other activities of your choice.

Bear – 3rd Grade

Are You There?

Indoor
2
5
5

Cub Scouts discover that even if they can’t see their fingerprint with their naked eye, they are still there.

See Details

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.