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

Is there a way to tell the person's weight from their skeleton? I know you can tell age, race, old injuries and so much more. Would you be able to tell that the bones belonged to a 400lb man?

Asked by Desiré over 9 years ago

That's an excellent question but you need an anthropologist to answer it. I'm afraid I don't know. Sorry!

How do the forensic team transport the body without destroying any crucial evidence?

Asked by coraline medow over 8 years ago

Inside a fresh body bag that's zipped up.

what was the craziest case you have ever worked on?

Asked by john34 over 8 years ago

I haven’t worked any really crazy ones, and sorry but any semi crazy ones would take too long to explain.

What type of equipment do you operate? How did you learn to operate the equipment?

Asked by Violet about 9 years ago

Over the years I've operated a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, alternate light sources, a photography setup, and various software programs. Venders or other employees train me to use them.

whats a typical day in the life of a forensic scientist?

Asked by kenia almost 9 years ago

When I was at the coroner's office, a typical day would be examining victim's clothing from a homicide or suicide, typing blood samples and testing gunshot residue samples. Now at the police department, a typical day is spent in front of the computer putting in latent prints that the officers or I have lifted from items and searching for a match, or checking past searches of new people put in the system. Then I might go out to process a burglary scene.

Before an autopsy is performed, must all the blood be removed from the body?

Asked by Richard Ferstandig about 8 years ago

No. Much blood will drain from all the cutting done during the autopsy, but no attempt is made to particularly remove it.

can a person erase their fingerprints w/ household cleaning products

Asked by fierce95@yahoo.com about 9 years ago

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