Having Fun with Graph Theory and Forensics: CSI Fingerprint Analysis – Whose fingerprint is this? A CCICADA Homeland Security Module By: M. A. Karim, Kennesaw State University, Marietta Campus, Department of Civil and Construction Engineering,
[email protected] Violeta Vasilevska, Utah Valley University, Department of Mathematics,
[email protected] Having Fun with Graph Theory and Forensics: CSI Fingerprint Analysis – Whose fingerprint is this? Note to teachers: Teacher notes appear in dark red in the module, allowing faculty to pull these notes off the teacher version to create a student version of the module. MODULE SUMMARY In mathematics and computer science, graph theory is being used widely to solve different types of real life problems. One of the uses of graph theory is in forensics to solve crimes using fingerprints recovered from the crime scene. In this module the basics of graph theory and fingerprints analysis are discussed as well as the use of graph theory in analyzing the fingerprints. Specific class activities are suggested to be performed that will help students become familiar with the use of graph theory in real life problems. TARGET AUDIENCE: This module is an interdisciplinary. It is written for undergraduate students and can be used in any freshman/sophomore level course that is a general education mathematics course, computer science course, or a course that allows the instructor to include additional topics. Note that this module could be expanded and used in some upper level math classes. PREREQUISITES: No prerequisites are necessary for this module. TOPICS: The topics in this module include introduction to Graph Theory and Forensics, Characterization and Analysis of Fingerprints, Class Projects that allow students to develop algorithms that associate a graph to a fingerprint, classify a fingerprint and match a fingerprint from a database, Evaluation, Assessment, and Class Schedule.