Sharpen your ability to observeDust for FingerprintsSolve a Partial Picture PuzzleDiscover God’s Fingerprint on You

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GoD’s FinGerprintsEveryday, fingerprints help the police solve crimes. Why? There are no two people on earth

that have the same fingerprints. Like snowflakes, no two are the same. One fingerprint can only match one person.

God created only one you. You are unique. You are one-of-a-kind. He Made You.

recite psalm 139:13–16 three times.

1. Make a list in your journal of all the things God did to make you special.

2. Look at verse 14. What do you think it means to be “fearfully and wonderfully made”?

recite psalm 139:1–6.

3. Think about all that you’ve done today. Then finish these sentences:

Since God knows my thoughts, I’m glad He knows . . .

Since God knows my thoughts, I’m freaked out that He knows . . .

Since God knows my thoughts, I’m comforted that He knows . . .

Since God knows my thoughts, I’m excited that He knows . . .

4. God made you, knows you, and loves you. He is stirring up dreams and goals within you. What do you want to do with your one-of-a-kind gifts and talents? Write out a prayer to God asking Him to help you accomplish your purpose.

Fingerprints are some of the most common pieces of evidence in a criminal investigation. There are many at each scene. Each print is unique to one individual.

Even identical twins don’t have the same fingerprints.

How to Discover Fingerprints: There are three types of fingerprints. Some can be seen with the naked eye. Others can only be seen after being treated with special lights or chemicals.

supplies:• Cocoa powder (in a small bowl)• Cornstarch (in a small bowl)• Old make-up brush or small paint

brush with soft bristles• Clear transparent tape• White index cards• Black (or dark) index cards• Black or blue ink pen• Silver gel pen or white crayon• Magnifying glass (optional)

Find a surface of non-porous material. These include painted wood, glass, mirrors, and tile.If the surface is dark, use cornstarch. If the surface is light-colored, use cocoa powder.Shake out some of the powder from the bowl onto the surfaceUsing your brush, lightly sweep away the excess powder. Be careful not to scrape the bristles against the surface. You might etch away part of the fingerprint. As you brush, you will begin to see fingerprints emerge. Some will be partial prints from only a segment of a fingertip. Some will be more oval and full. When you see a large oval print, work more carefully to brush this print. Your magnifying glass can help you pick the best prints.

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Pull and cut a long strip of trans-parent tape from the dispenser. Hold the tape tightly between your fingers. Slowly lower the tape over the oval print. As you get close to the surface, static electricity should pull the tape to the surface.Lightly rub one finger over the tape.Holding the tape by the edges, quickly pull the tape away from the surface. Pretend you’re removing an adhesive bandage from your skin.Lower the tape down onto an index card. If you used cocoa powder, use a white card. If you used cornstarch, use a dark card.Using the pen (or crayon) write today’s date, your name, and the type of surface. Clean up!

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toucHinG eviDence

HoW to Dust For FinGerprints

visible print: a fingerprint that can be seen in regular light with the naked eye or with the help of a magnifying glass. These prints are made by dirty or stained fingers. They are normally found on smooth or glossy surfaces.

Latent print: an invisible fingerprint that can be developed using electronic means, chemicals, or metallic dust particles. These prints are left by the natural oils in the skin or sweat.

plastic print: a fingerprint impression left in soft material like wax, soap, or dust.

Learn how to discover fingerprints using tools

you can find around your house.

Gather everyone

inside a room with a door

1 2

Close the

door

3 Select who

will be

4 Set the timer for 3 minutes and let everyone examine the room.

Players should try hard to memorize the placement of everything in the room—

books, knick-knacks, blankets, etc.

When the timer sounds, the rest of the players come back into

the room.

9 He or she sets the timer for

minutes.

7

rearranges five items in the room.

writes down the names of the

objects moved.

When the timer sounds, everyone leaves the

room except

5

10

sets the timer for 5 minutes

The other players

self-check their answers.

13

Players try to write down

what was moved.

When the timer sounds,

reads aloud the answers.

In case of a tie, whoever has the closest birthday

becomes

17 15 The player with the

most correct answers is

tHe Winner and will be “it” for round two.

it it

ititit

itit

2

Good detectives see things others might miss. Sharpen your observation skills by playing this game

with your family or a group of friends. supplies needed: paper and pen for every player; A timer

instructions:

He has followed obscure clues no one else in the police department understood. He has chased suspects

with uncommon endurance. The media love him and he’s earned enough medals and awards to fill a wall.

So why does he like to chew on bones?

Meet Ace, the real-life canine sleuth who helps Officer Dan Harding. He’s the Ace of Hearts in a new movie from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Reader’s Digest, and Peace Arch Entertainment. Based on the heart-pounding true story published in Reader’s Digest, Ace of Hearts recounts the story of an unsolved crime that affects the lives of four heroes.

Dan Harding—a hard-working police officer who’s forgotten his most important job. Lily Harding—Glen’s wife who holds her family together with love and understanding. Julia Harding—Glen and Lily’s daughter who never loses faith and hope. Ace—The K-9 wonder who undertakes an epic journey to return home.

Will Ace be able to hold the family that loves him together? With love and determination, anything is possible!

Observation Operation A Game for 2 or More Players

returns the five items to their original

locations.

For a more difficult game, rearrange seven or ten items. Or play faster — reduce the amount of time needed in step #7. For an easier game, consider giving clues or playing “hot and cold” if younger

players are struggling to find the rearranged items.

it

6 8 11

14 16

Answers to Partial Picture Puzzle:A. Mop Bucket B. Rubber Gloves C. Dust Mop D. Floor Waxer & Wet Floor Sign E. Broom F. KeysWhere would you find these items? A Janitor’s closet.

the FBi has been using fingerprints

to identify criminals since 1924 when congress created

the FBi identification Division.

Analyzing and classifying Fingerprints

in order to declare a match, fingerprint

experts must identify at least 12 identical points

between an official fingerprint on file and

a fingerprint found at a crime scene.

Loops60 - 65% of fingerprints contain loops, a pattern in which a ridge enters the print from one side, curves around, and exits on the side through which it entered.

Whorls 30 - 35% are made up of whorls. A whorl is a circle with no entrance or exit. Sometimes, two or more circles will touch at a point.

ArchesThe most rare prints, only 5%, are arches. The lines will begin on one side, rise to a peak and exit on the other side of the finger.

something was wrong. Julia’s friend Angie was crying in the lunchroom. Angie’s special necklace was stolen. Her father had given it to her on her birthday. Ned, an older boy, played a prank on her. He took the necklace and hid it somewhere in the school.

Julia found where the necklace was hidden. You can, too. Look at the images below. First, figure out what they have in common. Then, think about where you would find these items in a school.

Partial Picture Puzzle

A. B. C.

D. E. F.

Image from the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Image from the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Image from the Federal Bureau of Investigation