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

My brother was killed. I believe he was murdered. His left arm was nearly severed from his body and his left mastoid process was crushed. The blood at the scene was descibed as an 8in in diameter patch. How much blood should have been at the scene?

Asked by autumndawn almost 10 years ago

I'm sorry to hear about your brother. Unfortunately I have no idea how much blood there should be, you'd have to ask a pathologist, but from my experience I can guess it would depend on two things--what kind of surface was he on--concrete, tile, carpet, dirt? Also, how long the heart kept pumping after the injury. I have seen gunshot victims where they barely bled at all, and others were completely soaked practically head to toe. So there are a number of factors that will affect this.

If the bar code if worn off of a computer and you are trying to figure out what the bar codes numbers were. How can you get the numbers? Cause where the bar code was before it was torn off. It left a lil bit of the code is visible.

Asked by Laray kirker over 9 years ago

I would try an alternate light source, UV or IR light or even white light with colored filters. That might make it more visible. Other than that, I don't know, sorry. You'd have to ask a document examiner, they might have more techniques for working with paper.

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 9 years ago

Okay I will email you.

Hi i am struggling with coming up with a science fair idea and my main interest is in the forensic field and with Dna, I need guidance with an idea on fingerprints or dna analysis... Please and thank you

Asked by stewy over 9 years ago

I would be happy to help you. Please email me off list at lisa-black@live.com and tell me what you need help with, for instance: How involved does this have to be? Do you need to do just a demonstration or an actual experiment?

I am writing a screenplay & need to do some forensic & CSI
research like ID & lab storage of
a decomposed severed head.
Would appreciate any help you might offer.
Thanks Don
@ donnyQ5@shaw.ca

Asked by Don Tamborine about 10 years ago

Okay, i'll email you.

Hello Ms. Black, I have two questions 1) can those with a past juvenile conviction enter the field of forensics 2) might you be able to put me in touch with a forensic scientist who would do a informational job interview with one of my students?

Asked by SLP almost 10 years ago

Please see earlier answer about convicted felons. But as far as I know it would probably depend on the kind of crime, whether it was a misdemeanor or felony, etc. Many juvenile records can be sealed or expunged as well, so that process could be worth checking out.

You can have your student contact me Via my web site at www.lisa-black.com and I'll try to help!

Can you test for how long dna evidence is present. Like if I cut myself on accident three days ago could you time stamp that without me telling you how long ago the accident happened.

Asked by PF over 9 years ago

No. There is no time stamp on DNA, so far as I know.