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

980 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

Best Rated

I was thinking about doing a course on sciences and forensics but just wondered what that would entail? If you know, could you tell me please?

Asked by Lauren almost 10 years ago

It depends on what the course is about, and the syllabus or course handbook should give a good description. I'm sure the teacher or professor is available for you to ask for more details. Good luck!

re: long wait. We, including the cops, DA know who the shooter was. we have supposedly been waiting for over a year for forensics to come in to determine if it was self defense or not. does that change answer.

Asked by tiredofwaiting over 9 years ago

Sorry, I didn't realize the first time you weren't talking about DNA. I couldn't begin to guess what the holdup is. This sounds like they need a crime scene reconstruction, which would take all the available information to try to reconstruct the sequence of the crime. If the case gets passed to experts in different fields (ballistics, DNA, etc.) then it could take quite some time, and I have no idea how backed up the average good reconstructionist might be. I'm sorry I can't help. The DA or the cops would have to actually talk to the forensic person and ask. 

I am currently in a relationship with a man that was convicted of a felony about 4 years ago. How does this affect me as a forensics student?

Asked by Rachael over 9 years ago

As far as I know, it doesn't. As long as YOU weren't convicted of a felony.

I just noticed today that urine has been splattered all over my window from the outside. My room is reaping of urine odor as well. It's humid today. How would I collect this for evidence? I think it's been there for a few days now.

Asked by Leesa almost 9 years ago

Use 2 clean cotton swabs--try using just the swabs first, and if the drops just flake off, then you can moisten the swab with (preferably sterile) water. Or do it first thing in the morning when the window is damp with dew. Put the swabs in a clean envelope or small box, something NOT air tight.

have you meant kathy reiches she is an isperation to me

Asked by shel over 9 years ago

I have not, but I would love to. 

Hi! I was wondering, what is your favorite type of evidence to analyze?

Asked by Daisy76 over 8 years ago

Clothing is kind of interesting because there's so much variety to it and it can give you a lot of information, with blood, gunshot residue and holes made by weapons. I also enjoyed working with fibers because there is a lot of variety to them as well, and they're colorful, but often I'd have way too many and then it would get tedious. No one examines fibers any more, they're not unique enough.

If a glass door is slammed what side does the glass fall on

Asked by Dave almost 10 years ago

I have no idea. If a piece of glass is shot or hit with something, most of the glass should move in the direction of the force with some flying back toward the source. But I would think the entire piece is vibrating with a slammed door, so I really have no idea.