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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

989 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

Best Rated

Do you watch Law and Order?

Asked by Jimmy about 7 years ago

Not regularly, but I’ve caught many reruns over the years.

What is your least favorite part of your job?

Asked by Hily over 7 years ago

Being on call and having to leave dinner or get up in the middle of the night to go to a crime scene. And having to schedule vacations and events around whether I can get someone else to cover my call for me.

I'm a forensic chem major and I'm really struggling in my chem courses. When I took forensics in high school, I was incredible in lab. What advice do you have for me? Do you believe I'll be unsuccessful in this field because I'm not good in chemistry

Asked by AmandaM almost 8 years ago

I’m sure it depends on what you want to do (lab work or field work) and what’s required. You would be better off talking to your local forensic lab to see what kind of things they do. Most likely the daily work of a forensic lab does not really involve exquisite chemistry. For my part, I was an ace in general chemistry but I never really ‘got’ organic chemistry. Best of luck!

How hard is your job? Does it get a lot easier later down the road? How much easier? How smart (IQ) do you think someone has to be to do your job? What about other skills you have to have?

Asked by DDDDDDDDDDD over 7 years ago

Like any job it gets easier the more you are accustomed and practiced in what you’re doing. I have no idea what kind of IQ you need, and it depends on what you want to do. If you want to analyze DNA you may need a PhD in genetics. But to work crime scene you need only be conscientious, reliable, observant, and willing to learn. Best of luck!

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

Asked by Kim almost 8 years ago

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

I hope that helps.

how accurate is measuring the age of human bones , particularly after 30 years of age how less accurate percentage wise per decade after 30 years of age?

Asked by andy almost 7 years ago

I'm sorry but I also can't answer that question. You'd have to ask an anthropologist.

What do you think
A) Jeffery Epstein killed himself
B) Jeffery Epstein was murdered
C) Jeffery Epstein was snuck out and alive
D) Something else

Asked by I don’t know over 6 years ago

I have no idea.