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 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. over 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.

Can you tell the difference between blood from a cut and blood from a hemorrhage under a microscope?

Asked by Carla about 8 years ago

I couldn’t. I don’t know if a pathologist or biologist could.

Hi so I'm doing a school project on a career I want to do and I was wondering if there was any chance I was able to ask you questions about Forensic science and pathology?

Asked by Bri over 8 years ago

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

Well, according to the movie, as fingerprints leave an oily residue, they found traces of R-12 mixed with it. They also said that the uric acid levels in the eccrine gland residue were inconsistent with a guy with active metabolism. Too far fetched?

Asked by R-Mod over 8 years ago

Yes. Unless they have a crime lab more incredibly equipped than any I've ever visited.

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.

What is the exact name of the job that is involved in collecting evidence and analyzing it, or is there no such thing? Like for example, does a Crime Scene Investigator's job include gathering evidence from the crime scene and later analyzing it?

Asked by Aman over 8 years ago

That’s a good question, because there is no hard and fast rule—your title is whatever your boss says it is. A CSI may work only at crime scenes or may also do any office or lab analysis as well, it depends on how big the unit is and how work is distributed.

I stumbled across a Forensic Program on FB. I asked them questions and the person on the other side told me that it is okay not to major in a science, but take several science courses. Should I take their word?

Asked by student over 8 years ago

Every agency will have their own requirements depending on the position and their preferences. For crime scene or to work in an evidence dept, a criminal justice major may be fine. If you can find a forensic science program that may be great. There is no one answer because it depends what positions they have at each agency.