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

What are some advancements from a forensic scientist?

Asked by GunKillerOdin about 4 years ago

I’m not sure what you mean. Do you mean how does a forensic scientist advance in their career, or what scientific advancements have been made by forensic scientists?

What do you think is the minimum age for becoming a Forensic Scientist? Since it’s not (mostly) a sworn position can someone under 21 become one? What about under 18?

Asked by Samuel almost 5 years ago

That entirely depends on the requirements of the hiring agency. Since they’d probably require advanced schooling so hirees would wind up being older. It also might have to do with liability if the person would need to drive agency vehicles, etc.

someone is alleged to have worn a t-shirt for over twelve hours on an 88 degrees day,dancing,drinking,and playing pool,but DNA testing revealed none of his DNA was found in said shirt.What are the odds of that,if not possible?

Asked by filomenasmith@yahoo.com over 4 years ago

That sounds odd, but were they looking for blood or semen stains in particular, or just the DNA of whoever wore it?

Is that possible with in 25 day. I mean decay process.

Asked by Kalyan reddy almost 5 years ago

I’m not a pathologist, so I really wouldn’t know for sure, but I know decomposition can vary wildly depending on circumstances—whether the body is exposed or contained or wrapped; temperature and humidity are majorly important; and predators, insects, water, shade vs sun, all can affect matters. My best guess is yes, it’s possible.

On a scale of 1-10 how hard is it to be a forensic scientist.

Asked by Fayyad almost 5 years ago

7

In a situation where fingerprints are planted on the weapon, and the person who committed the assault/murder is holding the weapon with gloves. How do the prints not become smudged or rubbed off?

Asked by Emily almost 4 years ago

I would think they’d have to get rubbed off. I don’t know how one could hold a knife tightly enough to stab someone without smudging all the prints on the grip. Guns, despite what you see on television, are terrible surfaces for prints, though I guess if you were very careful and maybe propped the butt on something, I suppose you could use it without grasping and smudging some areas, like the grip (if it were smooth, otherwise it likely wouldn’t retain any prints anyway) or a shiny, chromed barrel. A knife, maybe if it was big enough that you could grip only part of the handle and leave the prints on the other part undisturbed. Or maybe part of the blade if you didn’t stick it in the body all the way. But I would think it would be tough to do.

Hope that helps!

how long can a DNA be found on a dried semen stain on skin considering the swab was taken after ejaculation's by more than 36 hours and the skin area haven't been washed

Asked by jo about 4 years ago

If the stain is still visible, then clearly the semen is still there, so I see no reason why it wouldn't still have DNA in it. There might be a mixture from swabbing up the skin cells as well as the stain.

Hope that helps!