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

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

Asked by Harmony Smith almost 5 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!

Have you ever asked someone a question on here? If so do you mind saying what it was?

Asked by QUESTION TO ALL about 6 years ago

Nope, not so far!

What is the point in giving a poly graph if it’s not even admissible in court except for in specific circumstances? (Usually if only the defense and prosecutors agree)

Asked by Zarah about 6 years ago

That's not something I have anything to do with--it's the detectives' and/or attorneys' decision. I supposed they think if they get results that are really surprising it can hint if they're looking at the right people or not.

What do you think about that show on the weather channel when weather helped solve crimes?

Asked by Jocub almost 6 years ago

I have not seen it.

Why are the questions on these pages so irrelevant and so many are repetitive as well as people just going on and on and on. Some people some how to way past the character limit. Sorry I know I’m kind of doing the same thing I’m just wondering

Asked by Paula almost 6 years ago

I didn't know there was a character limit. But yes, many people write 'how can I become a forensic scientist' without ever checking past questions to see that that has been asked 20 times. And I think others are trying to goad me into saying something non-PC. Apparently too many people have too much time on their hands.

What has been discovered or invented by you or other people who work in the field of forensics?
What is something I could tell my class and teachers that would surprise them about forensics?

Asked by Ella over 5 years ago

"Touch" DNA or "Contact DNA" can obtain a profile from an item that someone merely touched: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_DNA

I would say Rapid DNA, which can provide a profile in less than two hours and used in the battlefield, but that's been around since 2014.

And though you've seen it on TV every day for 50 years, it has not been possible for the average latent print examiner to scan in a fingerprint and search every person who's ever been fingerprinted, including job applicants and military. Most databases would be just county or state wide, and may or may not include job applicants (or staff) depending on the preferences of the agency, and certainly not the military, ICE or Interpol. At my department we only got the ability to remotely search the FBI database last year.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for your quick response.

Besides black powder, do I need to use a special type of brush and/or lighting such as a UV light to uncover gloveprints?

I should add that the color of the Nitrile gloves I am trying to obtain prints from are blue.

Asked by Richard Gray almost 6 years ago

No, just a regular brush, and UV light, as far as anyone here knows, wouldn’t make any difference. The gloves will, however, leave more traces the longer they are worn.