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 just graduated with a bachelors in Forensics and I have an interview at a crime lab next week, what can I expect? Will they want to see my transcripts.

Asked by FORENSIC about 7 years ago

I’ve never had someone ask for transcripts at an interview, and I think it would be a little unreasonable for them to expect you to have them with you without warning.It will be generally like any other interview. When they ask what experience you have in forensics be sure to mention specific tests and techniques you’ve done, like superglue, crime scene reconstruction, the AFIS system, etc.

If I have a BS in Physics, is that the right path to become a blood spatter analyst or a ballistics expert?

Asked by Trey over 7 years ago

I think it would certainly be an asset!

Best of luck.

I made a cast of a boot I found in dirt. When it is dry and I collect it as evidence, what kind of bag do I put it into? A large paper bag, a plastic Ziploc bag, or another type of container?

Asked by Sam over 7 years ago

Large paper bag. Casting agents usually warm up so that might create moisture inside a plastic container or bag. A cardboard box might be good as well to give it enough support to keep it from cracking.

Is it dangerous to be a forensic scientist ?
Thanks

Asked by Tatiana almost 8 years ago

No.

How can you prove a controlled substance that was collected from highway isn’t contaminated

Asked by Julie almost 7 years ago

It depends on what you're talking about--was what contaminated with what? Lots of things can be contaminated with things without results being affected. Take blood, you can mix blood with paint or dirt or maybe oil or types of soap and that won't affect the DNA profile. If you mix it with bleach or other blood, it will. So if you had, say, heroin, and it gets mixed with fingerprint powder or cotton fibers, it's still going to test as heroin. If you mix it with cocaine, maybe it won't. (Controlled substances are not my field.) So 'contamination' is not a one-size fits-all word.

How (or where) can I get someone to review an autopsy for mistakes or inconsistencies, if corruption is suspected from the investigative agency that was present, and influential during the examination?

Asked by Lina about 7 years ago

You would need another forensic pathologist to review the work of the first forensic pathologist.

Best of luck.

How much methamphetamine would it take in a body that was submerged 4 two weeks, for an ME to consider it intoxicated? drowning with environmental hypothermia, contributory cause: methamphetamine intoxication

Asked by Lina N Lete about 7 years ago

I’m sorry but I have no idea. I’ve never worked in Toxicology.