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

Hi, Lisa Black I am Bobbie-Sue besides fingerprints or DNA what are other things that are looked at? Toe prints? There I am sure many other things besides those two things... right?

Asked by Bobbie-Sue over 4 years ago

We can compare footprints just as finger or palm prints, but there isn’t a database of footprints so you would have to have standards of the suspect’s feet. Otherwise I don’t know what you mean by ‘looked at.’ Everything is looked at, in a sense—there’s ballistics, fibers, bloodstain patterns, arson evidence, toolmarks, video and photo analysis, paint, glass, etc. and etc.

How to identify if s nose was broken from a fall or from a punch

Asked by Doug almost 5 years ago

I”m sorry but I have no idea—you’d need a pathologist for that one.

Hello what do different colors flags mean? You know those little flags that stick in the ground? What does pink, yellow, green, multicolored, white, etc mean?

Asked by Barney over 4 years ago

I have no idea--are you referring to utility companies marking gas lines, etc? My agency has some flags but we haven't used them recently. I suspect if an agency uses different colored flags it might be some internal coding that they use. Sorry I can't be more help.

Is there anyone special you worked with?

Asked by Jason about 4 years ago

Could you clarify that question? I'm not sure what mean.

Hi Lisa the forensic scientist. In this scenario it might be a little graphic.

So let’s say there is a girl/woman (or a guy I suppose) was being raped and sodomized. She was being forced to preform oral sex and she bites his penis totally off.

Would this be self defense? I would hope it would be classified self defense. Right? But I know sometimes the system is messed up and puts someone who was defending his/her/their self(s) are thrown under the bus.

Asked by Claire over 4 years ago

That would be a legal question, unaffected by forensics.

What is the outlook for employment? What is the level of education required? What do you like most about your career? What do you like least? What special skills are required? Are there any special physical demands?

Asked by Jessie about 4 years ago

Job requirements depend on the job. Requirements might range from a HS diploma to a PhD. Check the websites of forensic professional organizations (IAI, AAFS, pathology or other disciplines) for job vacancies. I like the variability of the days.I dislike the hours, which can be unpredictable, and require being ‘on call.’

Since, you are in the forensics field. Do you know anything about forensic toxicologists? If so can you elaborate on what you know about this field?

Asked by GunKillerOdin about 4 years ago

Unfortunately, no, I cannot. I've never worked in toxicology. Sorry I couldn't help.