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

Hi,

You recently advised that a simple black powder would reveal glove prints deposited by Nitrile gloves. Would Latent Silk Black Print Powder, manufactured by a company called Sirchie be a good choice?

Thank you.

Asked by Richard Gray almost 6 years ago

Sure--any good quality black powder should have the same effect.

Hello! I am currently taking classes such as Organic Chemistry and Physics, but not doing so well in them. I am worried that this may impact any grad programs in FS in that they will just not accept me altogether. Is there any advise you can give me?

Asked by Struggling Student over 4 years ago

I honestly have no idea, I never did a grad program. Are there any advisors at your target schools that you can ask? But I sympathize—I had the same problem with Organic Chemistry. I got A’s in General Chemistry, but I just never ‘got’ Organic. Best of luck to you!

Have you ever worked on a animal?

Asked by Barry about 6 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.

Why do you delete so many questions?

Asked by Terry about 5 years ago

Why do you post questions that need to be deleted? Most people have better things to do.

I am from India.
My father was missing about 1 month ago(23-05-21). after 25 days of missing police got one dead body with only skull and 2 or 3 bones. And there besides my dad clothes there and inside pocket
There has my dad's bike key. this possi

Asked by Kalyan reddy about 5 years ago

See next answer.

Have you ever worked a case that was cold?

Asked by Seth almost 6 years ago

Yes, certainly. I didn't manage to find the one piece of evidence that solved the whole thing, but I have worked on several. In my department a double homicide finally broke open after 30 years: https://www.news-press.com/story/news/crime/2020/10/01/joseph-zieler-suspect-two-cape-coral-homicides-seeks-dna-expert/3584935001/

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 almost 6 years ago

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