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.
Yes, about 60 times over 25 years. But not nearly as often as you'd think.
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I'm sorry but I have no idea. I have no legal training. You'd have to ask a cop or a lawyer.
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The most important qualities to have would be patience, persistence, attention to detail and objectivity.
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I don't know of any particular mathematics requirements. You'd need enough basic math skills to balance chemical equations, calculate reagents in formulas, and record accurate measurements. Ballistics or accident investigation might need more advanced skills, but I would not know about that. Good luck!
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CPR Trainer
Are men better at CPR than women because they're generally stronger?
Audiologist
Can just one loud concert do serious damage to your ears?
Forensic Scientist
When did you know you wanted to work with the dead?
Not my field.
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That depends entirely on where you want to work and what you want to do. If you want to do DNA analysis and testify in court about it, you may need a PhD in genetics. If you want to work at crime scenes bagging and tagging evidence, you may need only a high school diploma, with added hireability for advanced degrees. The only way to know is to check job opening notices or call the agencies and ask. I would also suggest that you look for schools that have hands-on lab work with forensic topics such as fingerprints or crime scene work. Best of luck to you.
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A detective is definitely a sworn officer. A CSI or forensic tech or whatever their title is, may be a sworn officer at some agencies but commonly is a civilian person who handles the forensic aspects of criminal investigation. Unlike television, we don't interview suspects or canvas neighbors. I might ask a witness or victim if they moved something or if the door was locked when they arrived, but that's all. Our focus of work is much more narrow. We may work to find a source of some clue like a brand of paint or a type of shoe that left a print, but mostly it's the detective that's going to do all the legwork to follow up witness statements and other clues. Hope that helps!
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