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

Can cooled oil impregnated towels self ignite?

Asked by michael over 10 years ago

I very much doubt anything self-ignites, but I'm not an expert on explosives. But where oil is concerned I'm fairly sure you would need a spark to ignite it.

I can't use my own email at the moment, but my teacher is allowing me to borrow her email. I hope you don't mind.
gcastrobrandt@siuslaw.k12.or.us

Asked by Highschoolstudent almost 10 years ago

Okay, I emailed you.

why we use alleles frequence instead of single short tandem repeat when we want to match dna crime to suspect

Asked by atheer about 10 years ago

As far as I know--and I am not a DNA expert--multiplying the frequencies of each allele tested is what gives us the astronomically high numbers of elimination of people having that same set of alleles. A SET of data points eliminates many more people than a single data point, in other words.

Hi. I am interested in becoming a Forensic Scientist and I am a senior in high school. I had a few questions and was wondering if I could get your phone number or email address to ask you those questions. Thanks

Asked by Rana almost 11 years ago

I am so sorry I didn't get back to you earlier! I can be reached through my website at www.lisa-black.com.

Though if you look through previous questions and answers, you might find that someone has already asked what you would like to know.

If a gunshot wound to the head beginning under the chin and traveling slightly right to left and front to back was a 9mm and exited through a hat, would it be normal to not have blood splatter in the hat and why would area around hole in hat be gray?

Asked by Charlie about 10 years ago

In general and barring other explanations, if the area around a hole caused by a bullet is gray that is caused by fouling, or vaporized lead from the bullet exiting the gun within approximately 6 inches of the hole. That would indicate that the hole is an entrance. Is the gray on the inside or the outside of the hat? I can't explain why there would not be blood on the hat (again, are we talking the inside or the outside?) unless it was literally blown off the head before the blood began to spill, but that is unlikely in the case of an exit I would think.

what courses do you recommend to take in collage and what would be good tips for the classes

Asked by stumped student over 9 years ago

You can't go wrong with science classes. When I was in college they didn't have courses specifically in forensic science, so that wasn't an option. Look especially for classes where you can do hands-on work in the lab or field. And different agencies will have different requirements, so you might want to go online and check out the different vacancies to get some idea of what requirements are out there.

My friend has been sleeping in a loft in his garage for 20 years. Recently he "fell from the loft" apparently while sleeping not once but two times 4 months apart. What are common injuries from a fall about 6-7 Ft H ft sleeping I have suspesions

Asked by Cassie over 10 years ago

I'm afraid you'd have to ask a doctor. I'm not an expert in that area, but I could make a guess that it depends a great deal on what he lands on when he falls. Also, has anything in the loft changed recently? Maybe he rearranged the furniture so his bed is closer to the edge?