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

How much pressure per square inch. If a child is struck by a car, left fender without the car stopping, what is the likeliness of that child going 500ft ove two lanes of traffic.

Asked by Brandy Daugherty almost 9 years ago

Please see above.

I am considering applying for a forensic scientist tech job but am not sure about the hours. I know that the job can entail working non-traditional hours including on call, but is it very often that you work those types of hours?

Asked by Tara almost 9 years ago

That all depends on where you work. If it's a large department and shifts are covered 24 hours, you might not have on-call times but might have to work late when on a scene. As to how often I actually have to take a call, that is totally unpredictable. Sometimes I can work a whole weekend without a single call, overtime or otherwise, and other times you're out all night. If you have a situation like child-care concerns or something where call-outs could be a problem, you're going to want to be aware of that. The best way to know is call the places you'd like to consider working and ask.

I am doing a research project on possible career options and my chosen career is Forensics, I am hoping that I may interview you. I have a series of questions I would like to address.
My email is ejeudy.ej@gmail.com
Please and thank you.

Asked by Esther over 8 years ago

Okay I will email you.

What is the biggest problem for you in the medical field?

Asked by Alex almost 9 years ago

I'm not really in the medical field, so I don't know how to answer that. Can you clarify?

I'd like to know what is the biggest pain you deal with as a Forensic Scientist?

Asked by Jack almost 9 years ago

Officers who talk their sergeants into calling us out to a scene for five minutes of processing because they don't want to use the fingeprrint kits that they've been issued for just that purpose.

Can u prove the difference betwwen pubic hair and chaset hair or facial hair

Asked by jim amdiny about 9 years ago

Yes, there are visible differences (under a microscope) between the different kinds of body hair.

Have you ever done wax reconstruction to a person whose face was messed up? Is it likely u could mold a face with the person before they die, could u put a wax figure in the casket and it would pass for a dead person.

Asked by Brandy Daugherty almost 9 years ago

I have not because I am not trained in facial construction. We did have a case in which we had a reconstruction done on a skull which helped identify the person. As for the casket, I don't see why not, depending upon the skill of the wax worker.