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

Have you ever found any bodies with missing organs? Do you know the effects on a body when organs are removed in a crude way?

Asked by Aly about 6 years ago

No and no, I’m afraid. That’s more a question for a pathologist.

If someone takes their own life by hanging is it common for it to be a double knot?

Asked by Kim over 6 years ago

There’s a wide variety of knots as people tend to use whatever they think will work.

I hope that helps.

Have you ever seen anything like from the movie SAW

Asked by Ally about 6 years ago

I actually haven’t seen that movie. Do you mean super bloody homicides or ones where some psycho has set up a torture chamber? (The answers would be yes to the former, no to the latter.)

Can a body be in water and not have rigamortis?

Asked by Amanda Marsh about 6 years ago

As far as I know, water doesn’t change the process of rigor mortis. The temperature of the water may speed it up or slow it down, but the process would still occur.

Where do you hide a body?

Asked by Donna almost 6 years ago

That depends a great deal on where the body is now.

I am a student doing a research report, when can we connect?

Asked by Meshya Ragan about 6 years ago

Email me at: lisa-black@live.com.

I am interested in becoming a forensic scientist and I just finished school with a Bachelor's. I was wondering how hard will it be to get a job if I take 3 years off to see the world? I have always wanted this job but I want to makesuremyfutureisgood

Asked by Kimmi almost 6 years ago

I honestly have no idea. I don’ t think it would necessarily hurt you. What will be more important at hire is your training and experience—and it depends on what you want to do. If you want to be a DNA analyst you’ll probably need postgraduate degrees. If you want to do crime scene work you will need hands-on college courses and preferably an internship or two. If you want to do laboratory analysis then some sort of laboratory experience will be best. Is there a way you can present your travels as having increased your knowledge of forensics?