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

Is every death counted as COVID if someone has it even if it is murder, car wreck, heart failure, suicide, or anything else?

Asked by Tim almost 6 years ago

I”ve heard that rumor too, but I don’t see how it could possibly be true. Cause of death is decided by a myriad of different doctors. Generally it is signed by the doctor who was caring for the patient regarding the condition that led (or at least appeared to lead) to the death. If that is not clear, if the person wasn’t consistently under a doctor’s care or if, say, a cancer patient suffers a traumatic car accident, then cause could be determined by a different doctor. That could be a pathologist at the Medical Examiner’s Office, a cancer patient’s oncologist, an ill person’s regularly-visited doctor, the doctor on staff at a nursing home, a hospital doctor who’s been caring for the patient during a temporary stay, or even an emergency room doctor. In the past few months I’ve been called to a number of deaths and none of them were ruled as COVID cases.

Would it best to get a bachelors degree in Forensic behavioral sciences, or would an associates degree be ok? I dint mind spending the time and money on the bachelors but if an associates is the same then I'll go that route. Thank you for any info.

Asked by DarkBigFootfromTealJungle over 5 years ago

If you’re looking at behavioral psychology, I’m afraid I have no idea what job requirements would be. Try to find the websites of professional organizations, like American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and check their job vacancy postings for job requirements. I’m sure there must be national organizations of behavioral psychology as well, and they should be able to guide you. Best of luck to you.

I would like to become a forensic scientist but I would like to know the job market whether I could find a job easily.

Asked by Miriam over 5 years ago

That depends on where you live or where you want to work. You can check job vacancy postings at local agencies, or if you’re willing to relocate then check vacancy postings on organization websites like American Academy of Forensic Science or International Association for Identification. That will give you an idea of what is available and what the requirements are. Best of luck!

What did you think of that man who was killed? Was it just a cop on a power trip? Did the cop do anything wrong in the first place? Was it racism? What do you think?

Asked by Lisa about 6 years ago

I don’t know anything more than you do.

What Are the Disadvantages of Forensic Scientists?

Asked by dadsfasdf over 5 years ago

I don’t know what you mean by this. What is the disadvantage of working as a forensic scientist? Or what are the disadvantages of the existence of forensic scientists? Or what factors work against you when trying to obtain helpful information from evidence?

Have you ever seen something so graphic you had to go throw up?

Asked by Kamryn almost 6 years ago

Nope. I’m lucky to have a pretty cast iron stomach.

What would happen if someone was eating brains line in IZombie?

Asked by Darla almost 6 years ago

They would put themselves at risk of contracting kuru, which is similar to Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.