Fun and interesting activities like comparing the difference between toe and fingerprints may help your students understand the basics of individuality and uniqueness. Toe print and fingerprint cards are easy to make using index cards or squares cut out of simple card stock and an ink pad. This activity can serve as a jumping-off point to instruct about the basics of ridge detail, swirls and arches. You can also ask your students to identify or classify the type of patterns in prints taken of students in the classroom.
Hands-on activities like dusting for fingerprints in the classroom encourage participation and enthusiasm. Students roll a thumbprint or index finger print on objects like a desk top, the whiteboard or chalkboard, and a window or door. Fine paintbrushes can substitute as actual fingerprint brushes, and baby powder can substitute as actual fingerprint powder. Students can sprinkle or gently blow powder over surfaces to produce a visible fingerprint. They can then lift the fingerprints with clear packing tape.
Simulations and crime solving activities help teach kids and adults how to approach crime solving. For example, the Biology Corner offers a simulation titled "Who Ate the Cheese" that offers an incident report regarding a theft and introduces the concept of electrophoresis and DNA and fingerprinting to students. Using such methods, you can introduce students into aspects of DNA profiling such as polymerase chain reaction or PCR testing, enzyme restriction testing and gel electrophoresis testing methods.
Introduce your students into the fundamentals of anatomy by offering them a detective and observation game such as the "Wanted -- Butch and Sundance" game offered by PBS (see Resources). The activity gives students a printout of a number of skeletal remains with male and female height ranges and measurements. This activity can introduce your students to the makeup and names of the human skeletal system and the differences between male and female skeletal anatomy.