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

989 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

Best Rated

Why in regards to these riots do some police not do anything and let them tear things up? ANTIFA is now a terrorist organization SO WHY JUST SIT THERE AND DO NOTHING?!

Asked by Tina about 5 years ago

I am an expert in some areas of forensic science. I am not an expert in law, public safety policy or our political system.

If a dad commits suicide while his son is in the passenger seat, is the manner of death for the son considered as homicide? or accident?

Asked by Ritchelle almost 5 years ago

If the father caused the death of the son, then it's homicide. If he didn't know the son was there, it's accident (or maybe manslaughter, I don't know the precise legalities).

Do you think a forensic science certificate of proficiency (or any other forensic science certificates) is beneficial in any way?

Asked by Christina over 4 years ago

Yes, certification in any discipline is definitely a good thing to put on a resume.

What did you major in and where? Also did you have a minor?

Asked by Ramen over 4 years ago

I have a bachelor’s degree in biology from Cleveland State University. I didn’t have a minor.

Is blood soaked evidence washed after testing? For example a leather glove. Would it just be dried out and kept like that or do they clean the blood off.

Asked by bailey almost 5 years ago

No, nothing is cleaned. It’s just dried and then kept as is. For one thing you might want to do more testing in the future so you’d never want to wash your evidence away.

What is the most complicated case you’ve ever worked and why?

Asked by Captain Coke almost 5 years ago

I can't think of any one in particular that was the most 'complicated'--many were difficult and complicated for different reasons. Forensics is only part of the whole investigation, so things really get much more complicated for the detectives who not only have to absorb the information we're giving them but deal with victims, witnesses, suspects, documentation, records, warrants and prosecutors. I worked one where the victim had been taken to three different places before the body was dumped and burned, so there were indoor scenes, outdoor scenes, the suspect's house to deal with. Right now we're dealing with one that spans 30 years, so trying to find reports and piece together who did what and when and what, if anything, still remains to be done. And we had one earlier this year that had inexplicable behavior by about 9 different people over three days and all to cover up an accidental death. Hope that helps.

When you started work in forensics did your job train you or were you having to rely on what you learned in college?

Asked by jsk789 over 4 years ago

They didn’t have forensics degrees when I went to school, so learned all the forensic tasks were on the job or continuing education courses. But the science background helps with understanding lab procedures, preparing reagents, and of course explaining what’s going on during the various processes.