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

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Good afternoon!im just a bit curious.... at what college did you go to?

Asked by Anna over 8 years ago

Cleveland State University. I have a BS in Biology.

Hello Lisa
Iam a researcher for a major company and Iam looking for a test method that would allow me determine how much blood would be left on the body after a bandage or fem pad was removed? Can you help? Thank you

Asked by Rodger over 8 years ago

I'm afraid not. I'm guessing that would depend entirely on how large the bandage is and how much the person bled. Best of luck!

How long does a blood sample last taken to verify THC content in the specimen? I'm still waiting for results from over 7 months ago.

Asked by Gregory almost 9 years ago

I don't know, but it could depend mostly on where the sample was sent and what their backlog is. Some state labs might have a bad backlog. It could also depend on how they prioritize samples.

when you find that you have a cold case, how do you find breakthroughs? Or are they almost pure luck?

Asked by NB over 8 years ago

That’s more of a question for detectives, since ‘solving ‘ the case is their responsibility—I’m just there to provide forensic support. But in the cases I’ve been involved with, luck is of course a huge factor.

I am writing a paranormal suspense thriller novel and I need to know if you could figure out a person's identity in 2010 if all you had were the eyeballs and they were preserved since the 1970s.

Asked by Yvonne Schuchart about 8 years ago

My guess would be no. I would think the formaldehyde would destroy the DNA in the cells, though I don’t know for sure, and in any event they weren’t doing DNA in the 70’s so you’d have to find something of the person’s to compare the eyeball DNA. If you have something of the person’s retained from the 70’s, especially hair for example, perhaps there is mitochondrial DNA in some cell in the eyeballs that could still be obtained and compared to the mDNA from the hair.Otherwise I doubt ophthalmologists would take or save retinal scans back in the 70’s. Hope that helps. Best of luck!

is there a way for me to contact you directly so i can ask more questions

Asked by a student about 8 years ago

Sure you can email me at lisa-black@live.com

Is it possible to be a forensic scientist and a crime scene investigator? Like a job where find the evidence and you test it?

Asked by Rach C. about 8 years ago

Yes, to some extent. That’s what I’m doing now. It all depends on how much staff and equipment the agency has. For instance I’ll collect items and process them for fingerprints or do preliminary tests for blood or semen, but it’s unlikely that a DNA analyst would also be doing crime scene work.