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

As someone wanting to become a forensic scientist, do you recommend majoring in an actual forensic science program or is it okay to take biology or chemistry?

Asked by Josie over 5 years ago

My guess is it depends on what you want to do. If you want to work in a lab, then biology for DNA or trace evidence or chemistry for toxicology would be the way to go. If you want to work in the field, mostly at the crime scene, then you might want the more general forensic science. Go on the websites of agencies and professional organizations, look at their vacancy postings, and see what they ask for. Best of luck!

I am back to school to complete some science and math courses, like Organic Chemistry and Physics. I then plan on going onto graduate school for a master's program in forensic science. Will that increase my chances of getting a job in the field?

Asked by Yuna over 4 years ago

I think it would absolutely help your chances. But all agencies might not be looking for the same things. I would check the websites for all the agencies you’re interested in to see their job postings.

Best of luck to you!

Why do you delete so many questions?

Asked by Terry over 4 years ago

Why do you post questions that need to be deleted? Most people have better things to do.

I am from India.
My father was missing about 1 month ago(23-05-21). after 25 days of missing police got one dead body with only skull and 2 or 3 bones. And there besides my dad clothes there and inside pocket
There has my dad's bike key. this possi

Asked by Kalyan reddy over 4 years ago

See next answer.

If a person is hung on their knees, when cut down and laid on the back with the knees/gegs still stiff and bent, can the blood still pool to the back?

Asked by TK over 5 years ago

That’s really a question for a pathologist, but apparently lividity develops before rigor, so it shoudn’t shift much after rigor has set in. However that can vary depending on temperature and physical/medical conditions. Blood will pool following the law of gravity but if the legs were bent, restricting the blood vessels, then it might pool in the torso. Sorry I can’t be more help.

Why don’t they let civilians interview suspects?

Asked by Jessica over 5 years ago

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

I had crash some OLA 2.5 pills with olanzapine 10 mg tablets together and had kept it. Just few weeks back some police officers came to my house n found it. They tested it with forensic and it came back as heroin.
Please can you explain why

Asked by Malvin over 5 years ago

I’m sorry but I can’t. That’s a question for a toxicologist. I don’t know anything about drug chemistry.