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 wanna know few details about image created date, modified and accessed date.if created and accessed date time same can i confirm that i viewed or saved or deleted the image by modify date.because i allowed automatically download media option in viber and when i check propertis of image without i seen or accessed how it comes with different modify date and same created accessed date.and same thing in viber/.thumbnail file because i never seen those images.

Asked by Bryan about 8 years ago

I'm so sorry but I don't know. I'm not trained in digital forensics.

How long does a body have to be exposed in warm temps before it starts to deteriorate?

Asked by LookingForJustice about 8 years ago

Bodies begin to deteriorate immediately, but the process might progress more slowly or less slowly depending on temperature, humidity, exposure or any medical conditions of the victim.

After 11 months, what would be the condition of an not-embalmed corpse entombed but not buried. The tomb was sealed but not airtight.

Asked by Geoffrey James over 7 years ago

Alas, I really don't know. I think it depends on many cirucumstances, the temperature, the pH and the humidity. I can tell you that covered corpses break down much more slowly than those exposed to air so there's a good chance, if the environment was somewhat cool and dry, that there would be a good amount of flesh left on the body. If the environment was hot and humid, it might be completely decomposed into inches of sludge. Hope that helps.

If I were to major in CJ and minor in Forensic Science, could I become a forensic scientist? Or am I required to major in biology or chemistry?

Asked by Eliza almost 8 years ago

Again, titles and job requirements aren't uniform, so the only way to know is to call the crime labs in your area or whereever 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.

What does your wok schedule
look like?

Asked by Denisse Parada over 7 years ago

We work 40 hours a week but one of us will be on call during the rest of the time, when no one is at work, 24/7/365.

How important are strong written and verbal communication skills in your field? ( I’m asking as an English assignment )

Asked by Madison almost 8 years ago

Well, they need to be complete and accurate, but otherwise the actual English used can be pretty basic. Happily we’re not graded on our composition skills!

is there any "dream" future advancement that can be made to help improve the forensic processes?

Asked by MB2000 almost 8 years ago

Automatic access to a national fingerprint database. Even though you see it on TV every day, it's not really possible for police departments. At best we are tied into the state database, but not any sort of national or international one, at least not without a lot of hoops.