Whorl, Loop, and Arch Fingerprint Types
Before you begin the scientific investigation below, make sure to download the Fingerprint Inheritance Scientific Investigation Report. As you complete this scientific investigation, fill in any needed information on the report template. If you need more information about each section of the report, please visit the Developmental Module.
This scientific investigation is available below or in a printable version.
Introduction
Along with the rest of a person's features, fingerprints are formed while a fetus is developing. On the outer layer of the skin on the fingers, ridges form and grow into a pattern becoming a person's fingerprints. The fingerprint, which is unique to each individual, does not change as a person ages. Even though each fingerprint is unique, based on their pattern type, fingerprints can be grouped into three basic categories: loop, arch, and whorl. A description of each category is as follows:
Objectives
In this scientific investigation, you will:
Hypothesis
Using the Procedure and Data Collection section below, read through the procedural information for this scientific investigation. Based on your understanding of the procedure, develop your own hypothesis which describes your expected results. You should consider the following questions: If siblings share 50% of their DNA, will they be more likely than unrelated people to have similar fingerprint categories? Record your hypotheses in the Hypothesis section of your Fingerprint Inheritance Scientific Investigation Report.
Equipment and Materials
Procedure and Data Collection
Data
Use the tables provided in the Data section of your Fingerprint Inheritance Scientific Investigation Report to record your data from this scientific investigation. A sample data table for one pair is shown here.
Fingerprint Set 1
Name | Fingerprint and Description | Sibling Pair (Yes or No) |
Category Match (Yes or No) |
Data Analysis
In the Data Analysis section of your Fingerprint Inheritance Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions. Make sure to completely answer each question.
Conclusion
Using the conclusion section of your Fingerprint Inheritance Scientific Investigation Report, compose three to four sentences describing an overall conclusion based on your data. Was your hypothesis supported or not, and how do you know? Use the data and notes that you collected from your experience to form you conclusion. Make sure that you include information that you gained from data analysis to support your conclusion.
Experimental Sources of Error
On your Fingerprint Inheritance Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions: Are there any sources of error? If so, what are they, and what could be done to minimize error?
Reflection
Once you have completed your scientific investigation, respond to the following questions in a brief 4-5 sentence paragraph response. In what way has genetics made you who you are? How are you unique? Are you similar to any other people? Does knowing your genetic make-up have any advantages or disadvantages?
Once you have completed your Fingerprint Inheritance Scientific Investigation Report and reflection, please submit your work to the dropbox.
Once you have completed this module, please complete the module test.