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

If a dad commits suicide while his son is in the passenger seat, is the manner of death for the son considered as homicide? or accident?

Asked by Ritchelle over 5 years ago

If the father caused the death of the son, then it's homicide. If he didn't know the son was there, it's accident (or maybe manslaughter, I don't know the precise legalities).

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 about 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.

Do you ever use a CB radio that the cops and dispatchers use?

Asked by Random almost 6 years ago

We used to, but only when we were at crime scenes, we wouldn’t have it on all the time when we are in the office. But somehow they went to new ones and we didn’t get any and have done without them since.

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

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

be honest has there ever been someone you did not like and where happy to see their lifeless body?

Asked by sdf about 6 years ago

I've never known anyone who became one of our victims, so no.

My question to you is how are the audits done like in the state where they are auditing votes? What do you think the results will be?

Asked by Forrest about 5 years ago

I’m sorry but my job has absolutely nothing to do with auditing voting machines. I have zero expertise in that area.

I'm looking at going to school to be a forensic scientist; what are the best things to look for in a school?

Asked by Kaelyn almost 6 years ago

Take as many science courses as you can. Much depends on where you want to work and what you want to do. If you want to do DNA analysis and testify in court about it, you may need a PhD in genetics. If you want to work at crime scenes bagging and tagging evidence, you may need only a high school diploma, with added hireability for advanced degrees. The only way to know is to check job opening notices or call the agencies and ask. I would also suggest that you look for schools that have hands-on lab work with forensic topics such as fingerprints or crime scene work. Best of luck to you.