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

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

Asked by sdf almost 5 years ago

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

What are some types of questions you wished people would stop asking

Asked by question to all almost 5 years ago

Thanks for asking! I wish kids would stop cutting and pasting their homework questions for me to answer for them.

I am in school for my a.s. in criminology because my school had no alternatives for forensics, I am now 2 semesters away from graduating with my a.s. and my school now has a crime scene technology a.s. degree. Should I change programs or continue?

Asked by Jozalyn over 3 years ago

That’s a tough question. If you want to work crime scenes, then the cs tech major might be better. If you want to work in the lab, it might not be very important. I would advise you to call the forensic units at the agencies you’d like to apply to and ask their opinion. With either degree, they may more likely place more emphasis on whether the courses had a lot of hands-on experience, if you have any work experience in the field, labs, internships, etc. That’s how my agency would feel.

Best of luck to you!

Can someone create false positive molestation forensic testing by wiping a week old rag with dried semen onto their child

Asked by Queen B over 3 years ago

I suppose anything’s possible, but it depends on how well a dried stain is going to transfer to anything. usually a dense, dried liquid simply flakes off a surface. Someone could try wetting the rag but I honestly don’t know how well that would work or if at all. Also, whoever is collecting any evidence off that child would have to swab that exact spot. So I can’t say it’s impossible but I would guess it’s unlikely to work. Hope that helps!

Woah! Maxwell finally got arrested! What should be done? Did she do it? How should they protect her in prison from escape, suicide, being killed, or whatever else could be tried to get rid of her because she wants to talk? Who else do you think is involved

Asked by Clearance over 4 years ago

I have no idea.

You have been asked to rush DNA testing for a homicide case. What information would you request before deciding if you think the testing should take priority over other cases? What ethical framework would you use to help make your decision?

Asked by Albus over 4 years ago

At my agency we send all DNA testing to the state lab. We can give them the scenario of our crime and ask them to rush testing, but how they decide to handle their casework is entirely up to them.

Have you ever seen something so graphic you had to go throw up?

Asked by Kamryn almost 5 years ago

Nope. I’m lucky to have a pretty cast iron stomach.