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

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 about 8 years ago

Okay, I emailed you.

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 over 8 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.

Can you tell from skeletal cremains if a person was assaulted?

Asked by Avialane almost 9 years ago

If bones survive the cremation process and show signs of physical trauma (such as fractures), then yes.

I have an old leather scabbard,from my fathers Marine Kbar knife, is want to know how to bring out the writing on the back, i tried using paper, and rubbing with graphite, any other suggestions?

Asked by Al Tyler almost 9 years ago

I don't know too much about indented writing but I would suggest using alternative light sources like IR or UV.

I have to interview a forensic scientist as part of my math class in Jr High. Can you tell me how you use math in forensic science. I googled the textbook answer, but would like a real persons answer.please

Asked by EJ over 8 years ago

We use math in calculating point of orgin of bloodstain patterns. The sin of the angle of impact equals the width over the length of the blood stain. When we have a group of bloodstains on a surface like a wall or floor we can use this to calculate the point of origin. Also the fingerprint database searching uses complicated algorithms to rank fingerprint matches in terms of similarity. Forensic chemists probably use math more than I do--for example, to calculate the amount of alcohol in a person's blood. I hope that helps!

Does the pericardium fill with blood upon expiration or after expiration, or at all after death

Asked by g.hill about 9 years ago

I'm sorry but I would have no idea. You'd have to ask a pathologist.

what is the worst part of being a forensic scientist? Is there any reason why you would quit being a forensic scientist?

Asked by Ayah almost 9 years ago

Apart from the physical hardships (bad smells, having to get out of bed in the middle of the night, sometimes having to work 16-20 hour days), the worst part is what would be the worst part in any job--problem co-workers or bad management. Happily I don't have issues like that right now, but if a really horrible management staff were hired in, that might make me quit or at least look for another agency.