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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

989 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

Best Rated

i am wanting to start a carear in forensic do you think i can get any help with what i should look for school wise or what i should do??

Asked by dennis over 5 years ago

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.

Hi, have you heard about the Hilary Clinton being subpoenaed for a disposition? The emails among other things. How will they detemine gulit and what do you think?

Asked by JAY over 5 years ago

Not my field.

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

Asked by Micah over 5 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.

Have you ever seen something that traumatized you before?

Asked by Saul over 5 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.

Hi question to get away from this whole COVID-19 crap. What do you think your life would be like if your job was just like on TV? Better, worse, the same, how?

Asked by was this 100 years ago or over 5 years ago

Excellent question! I’d have more equipment, more salary and more hair, so that would be better. I would also apparently have no life outside my job, so that would be worse.

Why are some people with jobs like yours some people are sworn officers usually working as detectives/investigators and other times not?

Asked by 345 over 5 years ago

It’s whatever the particular agency’s Standard Operating Procedures require. Each police agency can make their own requirements.

Why do some people still think Jeffery Epstein killed him self?

Asked by Jim over 5 years ago

I have no idea and don't know anything about the case.