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

Was this election stolen from Trump?

Asked by asdfasdf over 4 years ago

What does that have to do with forensics?

What are the top 10 most fun/ interesting facts about your job?

Asked by Miki23 over 4 years ago

Wow, that’s a tough question! I’m not sure I could come up with ten.

is there any device in existance which can sense a possible forensic evidence and give you something to strat search with????

Asked by rekhab about 4 years ago

That depends on the kind of forensic evidence.

how do finger[rints get on things, does our fingers leave fluids when we touch things, or we just leave a print on existing dust?

Asked by rekhab about 4 years ago

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you!

Yes, fingerprints are impressions made by the oil and sweat on our fingers. If a surface is very dusty, we take away dust on our fingers instead of leaving prints on the object. It will look like fingerprints should be there because there will be finger marks in the dust, but actually we just removed dust.

Hope that helps!

I need to write an extended essay for school about an area of my interest. What is a forensic science method which still needs some research. I need to conduct an experiment and form a conclusion from my hypothesis.

Asked by Yusra almost 5 years ago

Arson investigations, bitemarks...though those might be difficult to do experiments on. Best practices for visualizing superglued fingerprints depending on the surface? Genealogical tracing?

Best of luck!

A person bites a victim. How difficult would it be for police to track them down based on their DNA?

Asked by Miguelito over 4 years ago

Not at all difficult IF the person’s DNA profile is already in CODIS.

How would you react to this crime scene as well as solve it?

https://youtu.be/o8MEZwcw06A?t=1732

Asked by Seth about 4 years ago

Sorry, I can't click on unknown links. However, in general terms, I don't react to crime scenes, at least as much as possible. I need to treat each one objectively and consistently, so I'd conduct the same relevant duties as I would at any other crime scene--photo, sketch, collect evidence, etc. And I don't really 'solve' crimes--I provide the forensic support to help the detective solve the crime.

Hope that helps!