Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi! So I am trying to do a science project on whether or not fingerprints are hereditary. [url]https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ummary/url] On the experiment's summary it says that I need to take copies of the consent forms from the parents/people I take fingerprint prints from, but is this really necessary? Should I try to contact the organizers of the science fair I am going to and ask them if I need to bring these consent forms? Second I just wanted to ask if anyone had any ideas how I could make my project unique. Thanks!

Hello Hannahpro,
Yes, you will need to have each of your subjects sign a consent form. In addition, before you start to collect your data, be sure to contact the fair's Scientific Review Committee (SRC) to get their approval for your consent forms as well as your experimental design.

As for ideas for making this project your own, think about the suggestions listed in this section:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... eityourown

Maybe you could find some twins for your study!

Let us know if you have more questions!

Thank you! The only problem I'm having is trying to figure out how to get int touch with the SRC of the science fair I'm going to. Do you have any ideas how I might be able to contact them? I'm going to the science fair in March at SWU (Southern Wesleyan Uni.).

Good morning Hannahpro,
Welcome to "Stump the Expert"! Maybe if both of us search the web for that science fair one of us will find some contact information! In the meantime, I'm hoping that one of the other experts here at Science Buddies has some ideas too!

Let us know what you find and I'll let you know what I find!

Thanks for being patient!

Hi Hannahpro,

I searched for "science fair Southern Wesleyan University" and found their general guidelines which did not mention a Scientific Review Committee. However, the website does have a "contact us" form where you should be able to ask about their requirements for written informed consent and the need for preapproval.

http://www.swu.edu/academics/science/re ... r/contact/

Be sure to tell them that your project will be based on human volunteers!

Hope this helps! Let us know how this works out and if you have more questions1

Thank you so much!! I also found the contact site too and contacted them. I informed them that I was doing a project on whether or not finger prints patterns were inherited, I asked if this was an ok project, and I asked about the consent form problem.
Thanks!
Hannahpro

Good work Hannahpro,

Let us know what their response is. That information might be helpful to others!

Thanks!

They said that that was perfectly fine, and that yes, I would need the consent forms. Thanks!!

Thanks for letting us know and best of luck!