Originally published August 15, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 15, 2007 at 2:08 AM
Kids: Detectives for a day at the Woodinville library
For one day, 8-year-old Kimberly Horton got to play detective. She dusted for fingerprints, looked for clues under a black light and made...
Seattle Times staff reporter
Science on Patrol
The last "Science on Patrol" library presentation for the summer will be held at the North Bend Public Library today at 2 p.m.For one day, 8-year-old Kimberly Horton got to play detective. She dusted for fingerprints, looked for clues under a black light and made mold casts.
But the fingerprints were her own. The clues under the black light were from other children's hands and the molds were taken from her own thumb.
Horton and her 5-year-old sister Elizabeth joined about 50 children at the Woodinville Public Library on Tuesday to learn how much fun science can be, with the help of the King County Sheriff's Office and its "Science on Patrol." "I hope they do this again next year, because kids get to learn about a detective's work," she said. Her favorite part was the mold of her thumb print that she got to take home.
The demonstration was part of a series sponsored by the Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) division of the sheriff's office. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation and is usually done over several sessions in elementary and middle schools. It began last year and is expanding this year to several other King County schools.
Lori Horton said she thought the event would be a fun way to have her daughters meet law enforcement. Girls are ideal candidates for the program because they are generally harder to get interested in math and science, said Sgt. Reid Johnson, who helps organize the program.
In the fall, when schools are back in session, students will have the opportunity to learn how police process crime scenes and bag evidence. Eventually, Johnson said, he hopes students will get to hold mock trials to further explore the field of criminal justice.
The sheriff's office program coincided with this year's summer reading theme, "Get A Clue," at the Woodinville Public Library, and library representatives were quick to ask for a condensed version during its summer program. It was a great success, said children's librarian Bigie Unger.
"It gives them a hands-on understanding of how detectives work," she said.
For Elizabeth, who can now detail to others the types of fingerprints there are, it was an interesting day.
Jody Tamura-Deerring, who manned the AFIS fingerprint dusting table, told her, "You did a great job."
"Thanks," she responded shyly before hurrying to show her mother her project. "But Mama, don't touch the black stuff. It's not dry."
Nancy Kelsey: nkelsey@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

Gen. David Petraeus: Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Watch highlights of General David Petraeus discussing the Iraq and Afghanistan War at the Global Leadership Series sponsored by the World Affairs Council.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
What not to wear to work this summer
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new truck? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
nwhomes

Find a new home or condo that fits your lifestyle.
Search New Developments
Builder Directory
- Seattle-area homebuilder losing projects to foreclosure
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
- Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
- World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
- Driver killed, deputy and prisoner injured in head-on crash near Monroe
- Lawmaker: CIA director killed secret program it hid from Congress
- Drunken man shocks Spain with his generosity
- Movie review | "Brüno" struts his stuff to hilariously expose intolerance
- Chase will no longer sponsor Lake Union fireworks
- More cases of disturbed graves at Ill. cemetery
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
542 - Obama's own party worried health plan lacks votes
349 - Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners: 07/09 game thread
243 - Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik again declines to quell Yuniesky Betancourt trade rumors
161 - World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
128 - Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
91 - Wednesday night notes
86 - Chase won't pay for next year's Lake Union fireworks
82 - Franklin Gutierrez bails Mariners out in a 3-1 win
77 - House Dems want to expand secret briefings
65
- Seattle-area homebuilder losing projects to foreclosure
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
- World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
- Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
- Grab the kids and hop on Amtrak for a stress-free getaway to Portland
- During financial crisis, the business of college sports is complicated by Title IX
- Group hopes to build 75-megawatt solar park near Cle Elum
- Local Smith & Hawken garden stores to close
- Green River Valley plans ahead for possible flooding
- Pay parking in West Seattle?









