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

What IQ do you need to do this job minimum?

Asked by David over 6 years ago

As absolutely no agency I've ever heard of requires an IQ test for hire, I would have no idea.

I am about to graduate with a bachelors in forensic science. Moving forward, would employers look away if I got my graduate degree online?

Asked by ssosiak1@gmail.com almost 6 years ago

Not necessarily. I would say in this day and age, all bets are off.

Have you ever had to go to court for a case?

Asked by Jay almost 6 years ago

Yes, about 60 times over 25 years. But not nearly as often as you'd think.

What changes in DNA identification technology have you seen over the past ten years? What have been the biggest/most significant changes?

Asked by Diana about 6 years ago

Probably 'touch' DNA, getting a DNA profile from someone's skin cells where they touched something. It's always a bit of a crapshoot because without a visible stain, you can't be sure there's any DNA there at all. But it's worth a try and sometimes we get results.



Can a dried blood sample found 10-20 years after a crime be used to find a killer?

Asked by Micah almost 6 years ago

Yes, absolutely. As long as the sample is dried thoroughly before it can decompose and kept someplace dry and not overly humid or hot, it would be fine.

Have you ever seen something that traumatized you before?

Asked by Saul almost 6 years ago

There was a really bad case of elder abuse that I think I blocked out of my mind for the most part, because I can picture only a brief image of it while I remember everything else about the call. Other than that, no.

Why are some people with jobs like yours some people are sworn officers usually working as detectives/investigators and other times not?

Asked by 345 almost 6 years ago

It’s whatever the particular agency’s Standard Operating Procedures require. Each police agency can make their own requirements.