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

Cadaveric spasm has also been called 'instantaneous rigor'. Will muscles/muscle groups frozen from cadaveric spasm 'unfreeze' before the muscles that froze from rigor mortis?

Asked by Tom Phillips about 9 years ago

I'm sorry I can't help but that's a pathology question. I do not know.

Is there any printed literature or old case dockets I can reference that directly says examiners can distinguish between prints left by bare hands and those wearing gloves, or is this just common knowledge?

Asked by Kayla lions almost 9 years ago

The only areas of the body with friction ridges are the palms and fingers of the hand and the soles of the feet. They could not possibly be found on gloves. I don't know if there's a paper that states that...it's kind of like finding research to say that an apple is not an Orange. However if you search 'identifying glove prints ' you could probably find what you need. Best of luck.

During interviews, is there a certain type of "personality" that forensic scientists look for?

Asked by kwow111 over 8 years ago

No, just attention to detail and patience.

i want to change my website name. my website name is goralaw.com. but i want to change it. so please suggest me.

Asked by I want to Change My website name. over 8 years ago

I wouldn't have any idea about that.

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

Asked by Wolf - Research for Novel almost 9 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.

I want to get a degree in forensic science. Is this possible? And how would I get there?

Asked by Sarah almost 9 years ago

Go to a college that offers a degree in forensic science. Each college or university should have a website where they list the degrees they provide.

What are the questions you would ask when you find a fiber?

Asked by Cory over 8 years ago

Well, if it's found on the victim, you might ask if it came from the suspect's clothing/upholstery/etc., and vice versa. Or it could similarly link either party to the crime scene, depending upon the circumstances of the case.