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

I want to become a Forensic Biologist, similar to a Forensic Scientist. However, I'm unsure about what to major in Biology or Forensic Science? To become a Forensic Biologist, Do i major in Biology or Forensic Science?

Asked by Ash about 7 years ago

I would guess that you should major in biology and minor in forensic science. I don't believe that a general forensic science program would be specific enough for a biologist job. But you should check want ads to see what they require.

Can u plz tell me how to become a forensic scientist.....can i get a scolarship in your land

Asked by Litty about 7 years ago

Stay in school and take lots of science courses. Scholarships would be offered by different schools and/or organizations. What land are you in now?

Do some of the remains you have to investigate make you uncomfortable?

Asked by jasmine Nunez about 6 years ago

No, I can't say that they do.

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 about 7 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.

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 7 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.

Okay. Also, won’t my own skin cells like disturb her skin cells? Like over the course of 6 months? I have touching many things like in the bus and train handles and then touching my phone. Won’t the new germs like destroy her germs and dna as wll?

Asked by HELena over 7 years ago

As far as I know germs don’t ‘eat’ other germs. But they can’t live long by themselves so on an inanimate surface, they would die sooner rather than later.

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

Asked by Tori about 7 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!