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

What would you suspect the average IQ of a criminal is? What are some of the dumbest and smartest you have dealt with?

Asked by Carlene almost 6 years ago

I don’t even know what my IQ is. It’s hard to judge stupidity, since most crimes seem really stupid if you look at the benefits versus the risks. And if the criminals were brilliant, ideally, they could keep anyone from knowing a crime was even committed. Most murders are not premeditated—an argument gets out of control, so suddenly the killer has to figure out what to do, this is a situation they didn’t expect, and they’re highly agitated, so they don’t do a great job of covering up. And then more intentional crimes, burglary, vehicle theft, drug dealing—well, if they were smart, they’d get into more lucrative lines of work.

What would happen if someone was eating brains line in IZombie?

Asked by Darla over 5 years ago

They would put themselves at risk of contracting kuru, which is similar to Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.

Sorry I meant badge number 100 as a example because they usually go by badge. Anyways sometimes they will call into base, dispatch, or station and I want to know the difference?

Asked by Nsnsns over 5 years ago

At my agency we’d be calling either Dispatch or, less likely, another person, in which case we’d use their badge number. What people call their dispatch unit, base, station, (we call them the name of the city, the first word in ‘such and such police department) probably depends on the habits of that particular agency. In other words there is no difference. Hope that helps!

Is it possible to detect K2 sprayed/soaked on paper with a UV/ Black light flashlight?

Asked by Nick almost 5 years ago

I’m sorry but I’m not familiar with what K2 is.

Is this good information for detectives

https://youtu.be/PZxuPthKTcg

Asked by Brett about 5 years ago

I can't click on links I don't recognize. What's it about?

¿qo? ?no? ???l no? op

Asked by uu?W?W p???p over 5 years ago

Weird--that looks fine in my email but is distorted on this site.

Why are the questions on these pages so irrelevant and so many are repetitive as well as people just going on and on and on. Some people some how to way past the character limit. Sorry I know I’m kind of doing the same thing I’m just wondering

Asked by Paula over 5 years ago

I didn't know there was a character limit. But yes, many people write 'how can I become a forensic scientist' without ever checking past questions to see that that has been asked 20 times. And I think others are trying to goad me into saying something non-PC. Apparently too many people have too much time on their hands.