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

How reliable are drug tests? The ones that turn colors. I seen where a dude had doughnut glaze on the ground and it tested positive (no thats not a joke lol).

Asked by Darren almost 5 years ago

I'm sorry but I've never worked in toxicology, so I've never tested drugs with any kind of test.

Sorry I can't help!

Do you know if phlebotomy relate to forensic science in any way? If so, how?

Asked by Christina almost 5 years ago

I thought phlebotomy was the drawing of blood, so I assume its mostly used in medicine. But one person in my office is actually trained in it so she can draw our blood when we need samples for positive controls.

Do you ever listen to music while you work? If so what kind?

Asked by Rinda about 5 years ago

We don’t have music in the whole department but many of us will listen to it at our desks or on earbuds. I have very eclectic tastes so I have everything from Broadway to ragtime to pop on my phone. But if I’m doing super routine things I’m usually listening to a book or podcast.

What do you think of those football players that where in trouble for flying blue and red line flags on the field in support of police and fire fighters?

Asked by Samantha over 5 years ago

I don't follow sports so I haven't seen the story.

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 over 5 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.

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 over 4 years ago

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

A person bites a victim. How difficult would it be for police to track them down based on their DNA?

Asked by Miguelito over 4 years ago

Not at all difficult IF the person’s DNA profile is already in CODIS.