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.
I am an expert in some areas of forensic science. I am not an expert in law, public safety policy or our political system.
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That's never happened to me at the police department, but then there's only my forensic unit with access to our refrigerator so it's not a problem. But it used to happen in the lunch room at the coroner's office all the time! I injected candy with hot sauce once. That stopped it for about a week.
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How does that question relate to forensics?
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Best of luck to you! Other than taking all the science and laboratory courses possible, I would suggest checking out the websites of national forensic organizations to check job postings and what different agencies require. You might also decide if you’d consider moving and where. Try to get a tour of any forensic facility you can, this is a good way to meet people and to see what different jobs entail.
I hope that helps!
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Court Reporter
If your special keyboard lets you type 200+ words per minute, why doesn't everyone use them?
Certified Nurse Aide
Are there social cliques (like "cool kids") in old folks homes?
School Bus Driver
If your bus is in an accident that was ruled your fault, would you lose your job?
As far as the job is concerned, I would think the odds of getting the job would be the same, but there are other considerations. The pay and benefits are different (at least at my agency) between sworn and civilian because they’re different unions. A sworn officer would be taking less pay and benefits to be non-sworn so the hiring party might wonder why, or worry that they would get tired of it and want to leave.
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Some law enforcement agencies still require their forensic staff to be sworn police officers as well, but most have civilian staff for the forensic support. I have always been a civilian and therefore cannot carry a gun.
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Wow, that’s a tough question—I can think of projects and experiments, but research....and what ages? I can ask my coworkers for suggestions.
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