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

Is there any way I could ask you a couple questions for a project? By phone?

Asked by Allison almost 7 years ago

Please send me an email at lisa-black@live.com.

Your take on Gorge Floyd

Asked by DeeDee over 5 years ago

You know as much as I do.

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 about 6 years ago

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

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

Asked by Kim almost 7 years ago

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

I hope that helps.

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 6 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!

How can I start a path towards becoming a forensic scientist? I am especially interested in DNA and toxicology.

Asked by Ryota over 5 years ago

I would major in biochemistry for either, and/or genetics for DNA. Best of luck!!

Thanks for your answer! I have 2 more q's. 1) Is it possible for me to contact you more privately e.g. email, where I can ask more questions in detail? If not, 2) in your opinion, what piece of forensic technology/method helps you the most as a CSI?

Asked by Kate Flynn about 6 years ago

Sure, you can email me at lisa-black@live.com.

What we use the most is a camera, and after that a tape measure (to make crime scene diagrams...99.9% these tell us nothing significant, but there could be that rare exception in terms of court testimony).

What is the most helpful to me is our fingerprint database to identify the unknown prints collected from crime scenes and evidence.