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

Have you ever done a autopsy on a animaln

Asked by Ryan about 4 years ago

I haven’t ever done an autopsy at all, since I’m not a pathologist. They can be done on animals, usually it’s called a necropsy and may be done by a veterinarian.

Why don’t they let civilians interview suspects?

Asked by Jessica over 4 years ago

Because that's not our job. That's the detective's job. They're in charge of and responsible for the investigation.

At a postmortem crime scene where hair has fallen out from the victim, over time, is all the loose hair collected for evidence or just some of it

Asked by Leesa almost 4 years ago

That would depend a great deal on the circumstances. Any hair actually on the victim that does not appear to belong to the victim would likely be collected. If there was obviously a struggle, if the victim was beaten or strangled, hairs on their hands or caught in their fingers would warrant special attention or any clumps of hair nearby. If the victim's lying on a carpet that apparently hasn't been vacuumed for the past decade, then single hairs might be disregarded. If the person is outside and shot from a distance, then hairs would likely be disregarded.

I hope that helps!

Do you have any suggestions for a research topic in forensic science for a class project?

Asked by HG271 almost 4 years ago

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.

When you first started interviewing and working in the forensics field, what made you determine if the jobs you were looking at were right for you? I am going through that situation now.

Asked by Jason. B almost 4 years ago

Usually job vacancies aren't that plentiful that you can be too choosy. Are all or most of the duties similar to what you want to do? Is the location acceptable to you (local, or someplace you wouldn't mind relocating to)? Is there a good chance you will meet their expectations sufficiently that they will offer you a job? If the answer to all three is yes, then I would suggest you take it. If the answer to only the first two is yes, try anyway.

Best of luck to you!

Browse through some of the other forums too and you will see the same trends and writing styles. Crazy stories, posting links, asking dumb questions, asking the same question over and over just in a different way, trying to get people mad, spamming, and fhe list goes on the bus drivers seems to he the worst and the wearher guy before he went away was getting spammed every day

Asked by Jessica over 4 years ago

Some people don't have enough to do!

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

Asked by Christina almost 4 years ago

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