Evidence Log Worksheet Evidence Log
Case #2026-FONE
Investigator:
Date:
Case Summary
During 3rd period forensics, a teacher's phone went missing from their desk. The classroom was locked. A clear fingerprint was lifted from a moved plastic folder. Your mission: Analyze the evidence, solve the locks, and identify the thief.
1
Lock 1: Pattern Analysis
Examine the Evidence Print on Slide 6. What is the primary pattern type?
A) Plain Arch
B) Radial Loop
C) Plain Whorl
D) Tented Arch
Lock 1 Code:
2
Lock 2: Minutiae Mapping
Locate the highlighted features on Slide 7. Identify the three minutiae points:
Point A:
Point B:
Point C:
Lock 2 Code:
(Take the first letter of each minutiae point)
3
Lock 3: Suspect Elimination
Compare the evidence print to the suspect database on Slide 8. Note your observations:
Suspect Name Pattern Type Matches Evidence? Alex R. Sam T. Jordan M. Taylor P.
Lock 3 Code:
(Full Name of the Suspect)
FINAL VERDICT
Explain how the evidence proves this person moved the teacher's folder:
Detective Quest Slides CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS
Detective Quest
CASE: THE MISSING PHONE
Press the arrow keys to begin your investigation.
CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS
Initial Report
During 3rd period, the class left for lunch. When they returned, the teacher's phone was gone.
The door was locked. No other items were taken. One plastic folder on the desk had been moved.
Evidence Item #01: Missing Device
Evidence Recovery
Latent Print Detected
LIFTED
Forensics dusted the plastic folder and found one clear latent print. Because plastic is non-porous, the print was high quality.
Pattern Training
Identify the general flow of the ridges.
ARCH
Ridges enter from one side and exit the other side.
LOOP
Ridges enter from one side, recurve, and exit the same side.
WHORL
Ridges form a circular or spiral pattern.
LOCK 1: PATTERN
Analyze the evidence print found on the folder.
SECURE LOG
LAB REF: #01-A
Select the correct pattern:
A) PLAIN ARCH
B) RADIAL LOOP
C) PLAIN WHORL
D) TENTED ARCH
Record the letter on your Evidence Log.
Minutiae Training
Small details make the difference.
Bifurcation
A single ridge that splits into two ridges.
Ridge Ending
Where a ridge simply stops or terminates.
Dot / Island
A very short ridge that looks like a dot.
LOCK 2: MINUTIAE
Identify the features highlighted on the evidence print.
A
B
C
Identify & Record
A __________
B __________
C __________
Lock Code = First letter of each word in order.
Suspect Database
Analyze the classroom fingerprint cards.
Alex R.
Arch Pattern
Sam T.
Loop Pattern
Jordan M.
Whorl Pattern
Taylor P.
Tented Arch
Evidence Print
LOCK 3
IDENTIFY SUSPECT
The pattern match and minutiae analysis prove that Sam T. is the only suspect with a matching print.
Complete your final verdict on the Evidence Log to close the case.
CASE CLOSED
Forensics Unit - Excellence in Action
Case Solved Key Teacher Resource
Case Solved Key
Detective Quest: The Missing Phone
Lock 1 Answer
B
Radial Loop
Lock 2 Answer
BRD
B-R-D
The Thief
Sam T.
Pattern & Minutiae Match
Lock 1: Pattern Identification
Students must identify the primary pattern of the evidence print. The ridges enter from the side, recurve, and exit the same side, making it a Loop. Specifically, it is a radial loop (opening toward the thumb/radius bone side).
Correct Choice: B) Radial Loop
Lock 2: Minutiae Mapping
Students identify specific ridge characteristics. This step differentiates individual prints from general class patterns.
Point A: Bifurcation
A single ridge splitting into two.
Point B: Ridge Ending
The termination of a ridge line.
Point C: Dot (or Island)
A ridge point as long as it is wide.
The code is BRD (Bifurcation, Ridge-ending, Dot).
Lock 3: Suspect Elimination
Suspect Pattern Reason for Elimination/Selection Alex R. Arch Incorrect pattern (Ridges flow across). Sam T. Loop MATCH: Pattern and minutiae both align with evidence. Jordan M. Whorl Incorrect pattern (Circular flow). Taylor P. Tented Arch Incorrect pattern (Sharp peak, no recurve).
Grading the Final Verdict
A complete student response should mention two levels of identification:
Class Characteristics: The evidence print and Sam's print are both loops.
Individual Characteristics: Specific minutiae points (Bifurcation, Ridge Ending, Dot) are found in the exact same positions on both prints.
Case #2026-FONE Confidential Document
Detective Quest Slides DOK Revamp DOK 2 3 Revamp CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS
Detective Quest
CASE: THE MISSING PHONE
Advanced Forensic Analysis Required
CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS
Initial Report
Teacher's phone missing from desk. Classroom was secured. No forced entry.
Key Evidence: A plastic folder was displaced. A clear latent print was lifted from the top-right corner.
Primary Evidence: Latent Print #01
LOCK 1: PATTERN VERIFICATION
Classify the evidence print and justify your finding.
LAB REF: #01-A
Step 1: Classification
Classify the pattern: Arch, Loop, or Whorl?
Step 2: Justification (DOK 2)
Identify two specific ridge behaviors that prove this classification. (e.g., core, delta, flow direction)
Record your evidence on Page 1 of the Evidence Log.
LOCK 2: MINUTIAE MAPPING
Compare individual characteristics for a definitive match.
A
B
C
Identification
Determine the exact type for each feature marked above.
A: [ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ]
B: [ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ]
C: [ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ]
Critical Thinking: How do these points eliminate "general patterns" and provide individual identification?
Suspect Database
High-fidelity lifts from forensic suspect cards.
Alex R.
Arch
Sam T.
Loop
Jordan M.
Whorl
Taylor P.
Tented Arch
Casey L.
Loop
Analysis Prompt: Both Sam T. and Casey L. have Loop patterns. Use your Lock 2 minutiae analysis to determine which suspect is a definitive match.
LOCK 3: STRATEGIC REASONING
The District Attorney requires a "scientific certainty" statement. Identify your suspect and answer the following for the court:
Question 1 (DOK 3)
If the evidence print was a "partial print" (only 25% visible), why would pattern identification become unreliable while minutiae remains critical?
Question 2 (DOK 3)
Identify the suspect. What specific minutiae point from Slide 4 eliminated the distractor suspect who had the same pattern?
Advanced Evidence Log Worksheet Advanced Evidence Log
Case #2026-FONE | Level 2 Analysis
Lead Investigator:
Date:
1
Lock 1: Pattern Classification & Justification
Classification
Based on Slide 3, what is the pattern type?
Visual Proof (DOK 2)
Describe two ridge behaviors (core, delta, flow) that justify this classification:
2
Lock 2: Individual Minutiae Analysis
Point A:
Point B:
Point C:
Critical Reasoning (DOK 2)
Why is a "pattern match" (Lock 1) considered class evidence, while minutiae (Lock 2) are considered individual evidence?
3
Lock 3: Database Comparison & Elimination
Suspect Pattern Individual Match? Reasoning (Why Elimated?) Alex R. Sam T. Jordan M. Taylor P. Casey L.
Strategic Reasoning: Elimination Logic (DOK 3)
Both Sam T. and Casey L. have Loop patterns. Identify the specific minutiae point (A, B, or C) that eliminated Casey L. and prove Sam T. moved the folder.
Scenario Analysis: Partial Prints (DOK 3)
If this print was only a 25% partial lift, explain why the defense attorney might argue that a pattern match is insufficient for conviction.
Official Finding
Identified Suspect:
Analysis Statement:
Advanced Case Solved Key Teacher Resource
Advanced Case Key
Detective Quest: DOK 2 & 3 Facilitation Guide
Lock 1
LOOP
Lock 2
BRD
The Thief
SAM T.
Distractor
CASEY L.
Lock 3: Database Elimination Reasoning
Suspect Pattern Reasoning for Elimination Alex R. Arch Class Characteristic mismatch. Evidence is a Loop; Alex has an Arch. No further analysis needed. Jordan M. Whorl Class Characteristic mismatch. Evidence is a Loop; Jordan has a Whorl (circular pattern). Taylor P. Tented Arch Class Characteristic mismatch. Taylor has a Tented Arch (sharp peak), not a Loop. Casey L. Loop Individual Characteristic mismatch. Shares the same general pattern (Loop) as evidence, but lacks the specific minutiae points (Bifurcation at A, Ridge Ending at B). Sam T. Loop MATCH: Exhibits both the class pattern (Loop) and all specific minutiae (BRD) in the correct coordinates.
Lock 1: Pattern Justification DOK 2
Evidence print ridges enter from the side, recurve (form a core), and exit the same side (Loop). It has exactly one delta.
Scenario Analysis: Partial Prints DOK 3
With only 25%, the core or delta may be missing, making it impossible to determine the "Pattern" (class). However, individual minutiae are statistically unique; a cluster of 8-12 points is sufficient for legal identification even without knowing the overall pattern.
Assessment Rubric
Novice
Identifies patterns correctly but cannot explain elimination logic for distractor Casey L. using minutiae points.
Proficient
Explains Alex R. elimination via pattern. Distinguishes Sam T. from Casey L. using specific minutiae mismatch (Point A or B).
Mastery (DOK 3)
Evaluates the Partial Print scenario with complex logic regarding statistical uniqueness of minutiae over general patterns.
