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

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An author recently solved the question, 'Did Van Gogh cut off his entire ear, or just the lobe(?).' She found his physician's drawing and it shows the entire ear cut off. Can someone really do that? More likely sliced off by Gaughan's fencing sword?

Asked by PT O'Neil almost 7 years ago

As far as I know it’s certainly possible to cut the entire ear off, but I would guess it would be difficult to do accidentally or in the heat of battle without causing other injuries to the face. But that’s entirely a guess on my part. I don’t know more than the basics about either Van Gogh or Gaughan or the incident. Sorry I can’t be more help!

Hi how are you, I just wanted to ask about the requirement for becoming a Forensic scientist , and if their any drawback, and if one can self employ after school

Asked by Rahmat almost 7 years ago

The requirements to work in a forensic capacity depend upon the agency--it might be anything from a high school diploma to a PhD for DNA analysis. The only way to know is to contact each agency and ask. Or at least check their websites, or the websites of forensic organizations such as IAI and AAFS, which post job vacancies. Drawbacks can be a lower salary than in the private sector, hours of work, having to work overtime or be on call. I don't know what you mean by 'self employ,' sorry. There are no 'freelance' type forensic positions that I know of, unless you have a specialty like soil analysis or anthropology, then you might be able to work doing consulting work when needed. But you'd have to have many years experience before that would be an option. I hope that helps! Best of luck!

Have you ever been emotional with the cases you have worked on?

Asked by Denise_ot5 almost 7 years ago

Once in a great while something will catch me when I’m not expecting it. But very rarely.

I’m currently in high school expected towards b’s and a’s I want to do forensics analysing Dna from crime scenes or what is closest to that, what qualifications would you suggest for me to proceed to take? Thank you

Asked by Daniel wikinson about 6 years ago

If you want to be a DNA analyst you may need a Masters or PhD in genetics, depending on the requirements of the agency or facility. Check vacancy postings at professional organizations, such as https://webdata.aafs.org/public/jobs/postings.aspx and https://www.theiai.org/job_listings.php.

Best of luck!

What does it mean if a cadaver had "abundant amount of mud on the hands," if the body was in the water for two weeks and it was swift water for days?

Asked by Lina N Lete about 7 years ago

‘Abundant’ probably just means the hands were smeared with mud on some parts, not that they had clumps of mud in them. Why it would be on the hands after being in water—some possible reasons might be that the body got hung up in muddy shallows and that’s why it was found, or it was dragged over muddy areas when pulled from the water. As I don’t have any picture of where it was or how it was recovered, that’s my best guess.

what is the importance of physical fingerprinting in a scientific sphere of DNA profiling?

Asked by Nic almost 7 years ago

I”m sorry but I don’t understand the question. What is physical fingerprinting and what is a scientific sphere?

Why do some think that these forms are chat rooms?

Asked by Donaldsonerson about 6 years ago

I don’t know what you mean by that.