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.
I am an expert in some areas of forensic science. I am not an expert in law, public safety policy or our political system.
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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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No. The action is all over by the time I get there, which is just fine with me.
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‘Detective’ is just a position, like sergeant or school resource officer, so what the detectives investigate depends on what department they’re in—white collar, ‘property’ (which would be burglary, theft, vandalism), ‘persons’ (assault, murder, sex assault), vice/narcotics, etc.
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Chick-fil-A General Manager
How often do you have to fire someone, and does it ever get ugly?
EMT
What was the most gruesome trauma you witnessed while on the job?
CBP Officer
How cooperative are Mexican authorities re: US immigration and border control?
I don't think there's a standard set of questions. The hiring agency can ask anything they want, I suppose. When I had one for my job they asked about past drug use but I don't remember if it was 'ever' or 'within the past x years..' Sorry I can't help.
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Sure, I'll be happy to help. Email it to: lisa-black@live.com
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