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 over 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 almost 8 years ago

I think it would certainly be an asset!

Best of luck.

What are some safety hazards, contamination / degradation hazards and how do u package SEMINAL STAINS A

Asked by Jayleen almost 7 years ago

That's a pretty broad question. I can tell you that for both seminal stains and blood stains, the best way to package one is to let it dry, then place in a sterile paper envelope or bag. Never plastic! Then keep in a dry, cool environment.

Hope that helps.

I'm studying about fingerprint patterns and phenotypic variations between parents and their kids. Which of the patterns are dominant/recessive? How can there be different patterns on each finger?

Asked by Liza about 8 years ago

Fingerprints develop randomly as a child is moving around in the womb before birth, so they are not dictated by genes. That said, there can sometimes be vague similarities among family members (like having radial loops, all arches, or whatever). There are three patterns, loops, whorls and arches, and you can easily have some of your fingers have loops and then a few have whorls, or they can be all one type, or any combination.

Which drug do you think was the most fatal in this report?
Samples are ng/ml
Morphine 220
Tramadol 780
Fentanyl 19

Asked by Cheryl almost 8 years ago

As I’m not a toxicologist, I’m afraid I’d have no idea. Sorry!

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 over 7 years ago

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

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.