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

if you find dog hair at a crime scene, is it possible to tell what kind of dog it came from?

Asked by dani about 9 years ago

Yes, if you could find a microscopic hair analyst with a library of dog breed hairs, they could narrow the breed down. And if you got a DNA sample from the actual dog then DNA analysis could tie it to that specific dog.

Hello Ms. Lisa Black! I am a highschool student doing a research project and was wondering if you have time for questions i need for my assignment due this Friday 11/13/15
My email is: ln892k@yahoo.com
I really hope to hear from you soon!!

Asked by Lillian Nguyen about 9 years ago

Okay, I am emailing you.

where could i go to ask a question about a bone that was found that resembles a femur?

Asked by JayBee over 9 years ago

The coroner's or medical examiners office, or find a college with an anthropology major and ask one of the professors.

Hello! I'm writing a career paper for college about forensic scientists. I was wondering if I could interview you and ask a few questions? My email is iy7997kl@mycentury.onmicrosoft.com Thank you!

Asked by Danielle B about 9 years ago

See above.

Hi I wounder how far has sience in forensics reached. Do you today have the ability to se emosional marks in the air? Strong emosions can leave a mark. like a fight that some sensetiv people can feel in a room even after it took place.

Asked by Jenifer almost 10 years ago

I have never heard of that.

Thank you so much for responding so fast. I really appreciate it. I have only a few more questions.

Are there any shows that you watch that are more accurate and show what forensic scientist really do?

Asked by Renee about 10 years ago

I don't really watch any except the ones on the ID channel, and those are mostly about the investigation. But when they do mention forensic evidence, they're accurate.

How long can GSR last on clothing or on a person?

Asked by Jailah about 10 years ago

On the shooter's hands, not very long. When we did GSR testing we would not do it if more than 4 hours had elapsed since the shooting. On clothing, it could depend on the type of material and how far away the item was--if it's a smooth fabric it would probably brush right off, but a more fuzzy type of thick material might get some particles stuck in it.

That was talking about primer residue. Gunpowder residue is bigger, heavier, and hot so it can fuse to some fibers or get 'stuck' to the item by the victim's blood.