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

A criminal stabbed to death two victims and then inflicted wounds upon themselves The killer's shirt was covered in blood. Is it possible to determine that one victims blood was on top of another persons blood? Can they tell who was stabbed 1st or 2

Asked by Chunky Monkey over 6 years ago

I"m sorry, I know I posted an answer to this question but apparently it disappeared into cyberspace. As far as I know, no, it wouldn't be possible. The DNA results would show a mixture so that you could say 'it could be a mix of these two people, meaning there's no alleles that could NOT have come from them' but you couldn't positively state that it is a mixture. And it wouldn't be possible to tell which came first as the sample is put in a liquid medium and mixed to analyze.

What is the difference between a forensic psychologist and a criminal psychologist?

Asked by soph02 over 6 years ago

I apologize but I have absolutely no idea. I suspect there may not be a difference.

What's the shortest time for an autopsy you've done on a body? What's the longest? How long does an average autopsy take to finally decide you've found everything you could from it?

Asked by R-Mod over 6 years ago

I have never done an autopsy, as I’m not a doctor. I’ve attended many, many autopsies, and they generally take about two hours, but can go up to four or five if there are a lot of injuries. At that point they will be done with the body, but the autopsy report can take much longer depending on if they have to send out samples for toxicology analysis (most places do) or have to wait on some other kind of specialty report. In one case I remember we had to wait a long time for a pediatric x-ray analysis. That can be weeks to months depending on who you’re waiting on and how big their backlog is.

If someone takes their own life by hanging will they have rope fibers on their hands (cotten rope), will the furrow be completely around their neck and if the person is right handed will the knot be on the right side? Thank you

Asked by Kim about 6 years ago

They would most likely have rope fibers on their hands whether they hung themselves or were strangled. No, the furrow will usually get less deep and maybe disappear, depending on how tight the rope is, toward the spot where the knot is since it is usually higher up on the body as gravity pulls the body downward. As far as I know the location of the knot will depend on where it’s tied, if it’s slid around before suspension occurs, and the structure of the knot (if it slips or not). Being right or left handed shouldn’t make a difference therefore.

how do you advance what made you want to become this
what kind of personality is recommended
how many years of school
how hard is it to find a job

Asked by a student over 6 years ago

I'm not trying to be snobby, but first of all it would be very important that you can communicate in English, with proper punctuation.

If I already have a degree in Chemistry, how would I go about becoming a forensic chemist?

Asked by Tori over 6 years ago

Just apply for it. Check the websites of your local city, state, county police agencies and see if they have a position posted and what the requirements are. You can also check www.aafs.org and www.theiai.org for national postings. Best of luck!

How long does an iPhone have to be submerged in lake water before it can’t be used to find locations or contacts?

Asked by J.H. Paree about 6 years ago

I have absolutely no idea. I asked my coworker (who does digital forensics) this one time because I wanted to get rid of some old phones, but she didn't know either. I smashed them with a hammer and then soaked them in my pool for about ten minutes, but of course I have no way to know if that completely worked.