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

What do you think the worst thing you age ever seen in your job so far is?

Asked by Richard over 6 years ago

Probably a small plane crash. And one terrible case of elder neglect.

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 over 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.

What questions does the CSI need to ask the police officers who attended the crime scene first?

Asked by Nansi Vladimirova (Undergrad Forensics) about 6 years ago

Usually they’ll tell me the basics, what seems to have happened—there’s a body in the bedroom, this car hit that car, the homeowners came home to a broken front window and are missing jewelry from one bedroom but nothing else. Usually it’s everything they know, in general, but mostly what’s relevant to me. I don’t need to know the whereabouts and timeline for every suspect, but I need to know when the victim was seen last, when the neighbor heard shots, that the gun was removed from the scene for security (which we frown on, but if it’s necessary then it’s necessary), that the one bedroom door is closed because there’s a large dog in there so don’t open it. If there’s anything else I want to know I’ll ask, but usually then they leave me alone to do my thing. Hope that helps!

Have you ever seen something that traumatized you before?

Asked by Saul about 6 years ago

There was a really bad case of elder abuse that I think I blocked out of my mind for the most part, because I can picture only a brief image of it while I remember everything else about the call. Other than that, no.

Can a dried blood sample found 10-20 years after a crime be used to find a killer?

Asked by Micah about 6 years ago

Yes, absolutely. As long as the sample is dried thoroughly before it can decompose and kept someplace dry and not overly humid or hot, it would be fine.

What IQ do you need to do this job minimum?

Asked by David over 6 years ago

As absolutely no agency I've ever heard of requires an IQ test for hire, I would have no idea.