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

What is the best college in Minnesota to get a Forensic Science Bachelor's Degree at?

Asked by Talia over 6 years ago

I have no idea. They didn't have forensic science degrees when I went to school. But I will check with a friend of mine who teaches.

why did you choose this job/career

Asked by anthony melendez almost 7 years ago

if you have homework assignment interview questions, please email me all of them at once at: Lisa-black@live.com and I’ll get back to you.

What steps should one take to become a forensic scientist in school? I am currently a student working on a BA in chemistry, but I don't know what the next step is as far as after college.

Asked by Brianne almost 7 years ago

A good way to get a handle on the situation is to look at online job postings from places where you might want to work--the local police department, the county morgue, the state crime lab. They will post the duties and requirements for each position. You can also check the same information on the websites of professional organizations such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences or the International Association for Identification. That should give you a good start.

What degrees did you take? And what do you think is important in pursuing a job as a forensic science technician?

Asked by Donnie over 7 years ago

 Titles and job requirements aren't uniform, so the only way to know is to call the crime labs in your area or wherever you might be interested in working and ask them. At the coroner's office we had to have at least a bachelor's in a natural science (this was before they had forensic science majors). At the police department where I am now, they only require a high school diploma but you get more points in the interviewing process for having a four year degree, so we all have one. You can also go on the websites for professional organizations such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and check out their job vacancy postings and see what the various positions require. Good luck.

Many of the forensic scientist jobs require experience in addition to education. I have a master's degree in forensics but how do I obtain the experience if it is already a minimum requirement for the job?

Asked by shay over 6 years ago

That is difficult. An internship is the best thing but they may be scarce. First check with your guidance counselor or forensic teachers at school to see if they can help you. Then call the crime labs in your area to see if they offer any sort of intership or long-term shadowing/volunteer work. You might also check the state and local agencies--ours had community volunteers and Public Service Aides who do some crime scene work. Best of luck!

What are most interesting cases you have been a part of or have studied?

Asked by bart white about 7 years ago

Nothing that is nationally famous.

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 almost 7 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.