Forensic Scientist

Forensic Scientist

LIsa Black

Cape Coral, FL

Female, 49

I spent the five happiest years of my life in a morgue. As a forensic scientist in the Cleveland coroner’s office I analyzed gunshot residue on hands and clothing, hairs, fibers, paint, glass, DNA, blood and many other forms of trace evidence, as well as crime scenes. Now I'm a certified latent print examiner and CSI for a police department in Florida. I also write a series of forensic suspense novels, turning the day job into fiction. My books have been translated into six languages.

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Last Answer on July 21, 2022

Best Rated

I'm working on a blog, and one of the topics is DNA. I need to explain how it is extracted in a way an educated teen would understand. Could you please tell me how exactly it is done (including the processes in each stage)?
Thank you for your time!

Asked by Ananya over 6 years ago

I’m sorry, but I can’t. I haven’t done DNA analysis in over 20 years. Sorry I couldn’t help!

Hi, I'm writing a research paper and wanted to ask a question. Is there different types of crime scene investigators?

Asked by Hi over 6 years ago

I don't know what you mean by that. Different staff might have different specialties, like bloodstain pattern interpretation or digital forensics, but there's pretty standard things that have to be done at every crime scene, like photography and collection of evidence, processing for fingerprints, etc.

I hope that helps.

I want to become a forensic scientist technician before I purse education towards becoming a pathologist or forensic scientist. Once I meet the minimum requirements, how do I get started without any experience?

Asked by Mariah Clark almost 6 years ago

A pathologist is a doctor, so you'd have to go to med school first, and they usually have standard placement systems. To be a forensic scientist, it's best to get an internship position with your local lab while you're in school or just graduated. Or at least contact all the labs you're interested in, ask for a tour, meet people. You can also attend forensic conventions, though you'll have to pay for the registration. Hope that helps!

Is investigative forensics the same as forensic science?

Asked by Chris74 over 6 years ago

Sorry, I answered this right away but somehow it didn't 'take'.

I'm not familiar with the term, but I would guess so.

What is the correct way to gather DNA address using mouth swab and if it's not done correctly is it considered contaminated

Asked by Britni about 6 years ago

Basically just use a sterile swab, rub it on the inside of the cheeks, and package it with a desiccant or in a paper envelope that would allow a little bit of air flow (not plastic). As long as it’s not soaked in someone else’s DNA or bleach or something, it’s pretty foolproof.

Have you ever interviewed a suspect? What is the RIED, PEACE, cognitive, kinesthetic, among other interview and interrogation why is there so many styles???

Asked by Silly Lilly almost 6 years ago

I don’t interview suspects—or victims or witnesses.That’s the detective’s job. I’m there to analyze and collect evidence.

If fingerprints are collected from evidence that can be bagged, does this happen on the scene or later, at the lab? Has this procedure changed over time?

Asked by Satoko over 6 years ago

It hasn’t changed. In general it’s best to process an item at the scene so that handling and possible smudging is kept to a minimum, but it depends on many circumstances. If there isn’t a clean dry place to do it or if the person at the scene doesn’t feel their expertise is adequate for the particular item or mostly if the item needs other processing than the simple black powder or mag powder. If it’s a porous item like plastic or vinyl or paper and might need to be superglued or sprayed with dye, then it should be transported to the lab.