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

So unless the gloves and/or surface had some form of dirt or oil or other sort of substance that would make a print form, if both were completely spotless, there would be no gloveprints?

Asked by R-Mod over 7 years ago

Probably not. Fingerprints are left usually because skin has oils and sweat, which of course gloves wouldn't have.

So I eventually want to enter into being a forensics analysist, but I've encountered a problem. I recently got a medical marijuana card for a medical problem. And I am not a frequent user. Can I basically forget about being an forensics analysist.

Asked by Carisma over 7 years ago

I don't see why as that would be perfectly legal.

can a person erase their fingerprints w/ household cleaning products

Asked by fierce95@yahoo.com almost 8 years ago

From an object? Sure, if you clean the surface thoroughly.

I was wondering, do people have different patterns on each finger? One finger tented arch, one plain arch sort of thing?

Asked by Amelia H. almost 8 years ago

Yes, absolutely. Most people will have a mix of patterns on their fingers.

When measuring blood splatters, does the type of blood affect the diameter measurement?

Asked by Rylee over 7 years ago

There's only two kinds of blood, blood and menstrual blood, and as far as I know there's been no studies using menstrual blood.

Can cigarette remains (Butts, partially smoked, etc.) be used to identify time in forensic investigation? (ex: Staleness)

Asked by Wolf - Research for Novel over 7 years ago

Not as far as I know. I think that would be too difficult because even if you could assess staleness, you wouldn't know how fast the person smokes a pack, therefore how long the pack had been open, how it had been stored, etc.

Can I interview you on this for a school project?

Asked by Samantha over 7 years ago

Sure, email me at lisa-black@live.com.