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

be honest has there ever been someone you did not like and where happy to see their lifeless body?

Asked by sdf about 5 years ago

I've never known anyone who became one of our victims, so no.

Can a Bachelors Degree in Health Science get you a job as a forensic science technician?

Asked by Harmony Smith over 3 years ago

If the agency you apply to accepts it, then yes. Our agency just asks for at least an associate's degree but doesn't specify the subject, so you would qualify. What an agency is looking for beyond any degree is up to them. They might want only those with forensic training, or they might prefer someone who's had laboratory training even if not specifically in forensics over someone who had forensic training but no hands-on lab work. The only way to know is to call them and ask. Best of luck to you!

What do you think of Ms. Maxwell? Just whatever you think

Asked by Jim almost 5 years ago

I’m sorry but to be honest, I haven’t thought of her at all. I don’t know any more about the case than you do—probably considerably less—and I’m not aware of the relevant forensic evidence. And like most I’ve had many more immediately personal issues to hold my attention in recent months so I’m afraid I can’t help you.

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 5 years ago

I don’t know anything more than you do.

What are some types of questions you wished people would stop asking

Asked by question to all about 5 years ago

Thanks for asking! I wish kids would stop cutting and pasting their homework questions for me to answer for them.

I am in school for my a.s. in criminology because my school had no alternatives for forensics, I am now 2 semesters away from graduating with my a.s. and my school now has a crime scene technology a.s. degree. Should I change programs or continue?

Asked by Jozalyn over 3 years ago

That’s a tough question. If you want to work crime scenes, then the cs tech major might be better. If you want to work in the lab, it might not be very important. I would advise you to call the forensic units at the agencies you’d like to apply to and ask their opinion. With either degree, they may more likely place more emphasis on whether the courses had a lot of hands-on experience, if you have any work experience in the field, labs, internships, etc. That’s how my agency would feel.

Best of luck to you!

Should police departments be defunded?

Asked by Mark about 5 years ago

Again, I'm not an expert in public safety policy, so I don't know any more about the implications than you do.