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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My was found deceased. I found him on his back. He had lividity on his inner forearms, palms was clear, lividity on his forehead, across his back side across his shoulders and on both sides of his rib cage down to his hips. Chest was clear. Position?

Asked by Jennifer about 4 years ago

Lividity can be patchy depending on areas of pressure. So you can have reddened areas where the blood flowed in and stayed next to clear areas where the body was pressed against a surface and the blood couldn't pool. You would need to talk to a pathologist for more thorough information. I'm sorry for your loss.

Can a coroner make a arrest? People like to always make the point about a “citizens arrest” but I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.

Asked by Richard about 4 years ago

I don’t really know, but at the coroner’s office I worked at I was told that our coroner was actually the highest law enforcement officer, technically, in the county. She was the only person who could arrest the sheriff if necessary. That never became necessary though so I don’t know how it would actually work.

Have you ever worked on a animal?

Asked by Barry over 4 years ago

I’ve done microscopic comparisons of animal hairs, when I was doing hair and fiber comparisons at the coroner’s office, to establish a connection between items found on a suspect’s clothing or environment and items found on a victim’s clothing or environment. That’s about it.

If I am wearing thin, latex gloves, is it possible for me to deposit my fingerprint through the glove and onto the surface I am touching?

Thanks.

Asked by Richard Gray about 4 years ago

Apparently experimentation has shown it is possible. It gets more likely the longer the gloves are worn.

Since my finance passed away a month ago and there's been something eating at me now and I don't want anyone to think I'm going crazy. I found him on the floor but how can his legs bend perfectly and his knees
directly on top of each other perfectly

Asked by Shell about 4 years ago

I’m sorry for your loss. What was the cause of death?

I hear from local cops. I hear the FBI is idiots and the US Marshals are a bunch of red necks and fire fighters are not tough. I think this is rude and it’s not nice to stereo type everyone from a agency. Why is this done and do you agree do you hear any of that or noticed any of that

Asked by Jake about 4 years ago

Every group of people looks for reasons to feel superior to any other group of people. It's (a not very attractive part of) human nature. But in my experience interagency rivalries have been super mild. It's more a trope of fiction than reality.

If shot from close range. Would a civil war era rifle bullet to the eye go all the way through someones head? I'm doing research for a film I'm helping with.

Asked by Shannon about 4 years ago

With all bullets a great deal depends on how much gunpowder is used--the charges can be underpowered or highly powered. But I asked my boss, a history major, and he says absolutely that one at close range entering the eye could go all the way through the head. Hope that helps!