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.
On the victim’s body? Most likely not because after that much time the victim would most likely be skeletal remains only, if buried and certainly if on the surface. If the body was in some kind of container, sealed, it might be completely decomposed, mummified or preserved, depending on circumstances. If the killer’s blood or semen got on some object that was with the body, it could conceivably survive if protected, but it would be very unlikely to yield a usable DNA profile.
Hope that helps!!
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That is a great question that I can’t answer! So sorry, but I never worked with a GC or Mass Spec. That was the toxicology department.
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Sure--any good quality black powder should have the same effect.
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Not at all difficult IF the person’s DNA profile is already in CODIS.
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Stand-Up Comedian
What's your worst bombing story?
Hairstylist and Makeup Artist
How much am I supposed to tip my hairstylist?
Zookeeper and Animal Trainer
Are a lot of people in your line of work vegetarian/vegan?
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you!
Yes, fingerprints are impressions made by the oil and sweat on our fingers. If a surface is very dusty, we take away dust on our fingers instead of leaving prints on the object. It will look like fingerprints should be there because there will be finger marks in the dust, but actually we just removed dust.
Hope that helps!
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Apparently experimentation has shown it is possible. It gets more likely the longer the gloves are worn.
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Because that's not our job. That's the detective's job. They're in charge of and responsible for the investigation.
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