Kids learn fingerprint science

Fingerprinting is half hard science, half delicate art and one of the oldest tools used by a police department to track down criminals.

Students attending the Green River Police Department's junior academy Thursday afternoon were given an opportunity to learn how fingerprinting works and practice dusting for and removing prints as evidence.

Fingerprints work as a tool to identify possible suspects because each print is unique.

"No two have ever been documented as the same," Cpl. Det. Karl Bode told students. "It's just a tool we use. The more tools, the better."

The 11 students involved with the course were able to use different types of fingerprint powders to find and lift prints from aluminum cans and a covered table. The powders, regardless of if they're magnetic, florescent or the standard black powders, work by adhering to the oils and moisture left when a bare hand touches an object. Different types of powder work best in different environments as well. For example a magnetic powder is great for shiny surfaces, but not recommended for metallic surfaces as the powder will get attracted to the metal. Bode also said a little powder goes a long way in dusting for fingerprints, as large amounts can obscure prints.

After a print is successfully created, students used evidence tape to collect the print. While Bode said officers are trained to lift fingerprints in a variety of situations, in more serious cases, they may simply take the evidence and send it to a crime lab for in-depth analysis.

"We won't cut away a countertop because a $10 bill was taken, but if it's a homicide, we'll take it out," he said.

Det. Luke Benson said the junior academy gives residents a chance to see how police officers conduct their duties and an behind the scenes look at the services provided by the GRPD.

Aside from learning about fingerprinting, students met the department's drug dog and SWAT members as well as having a lesson from Municipal Court Judge Jason Petri about the court and the difference between legal and illegal searches.

Students also had the chance to tour the combined dispatch center on Uinta Drive.