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

Was this election stolen from Trump?

Asked by asdfasdf over 4 years ago

What does that have to do with forensics?

how do finger[rints get on things, does our fingers leave fluids when we touch things, or we just leave a print on existing dust?

Asked by rekhab over 4 years ago

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!

What is the cost to a criminal defendant to have a print run through the FBI's AFIS system? Has that cost remained the same from 1999 through the present?

Asked by MsM about 4 years ago

I'm sorry but I have absolutely no idea. I didn't know there was a cost. I would have guessed that their attorney could request a court order to do so from the judge and the police agency that has the print would take care of it, but I really don't know. Sorry I can't be more help.

Also, is it possible to specifically detect that the DNA is from saliva and nothing else?

Asked by AJ over 4 years ago

I don't believe so, but I haven't done DNA analysis in 20 years so I'm not the best person to ask. I know there's an amylase test for saliva, but I don't know if it's used any more. And if you have a mixture I doubt it would be possible to tell what DNA is from what bodily fluid.

What are the top 10 most fun/ interesting facts about your job?

Asked by Miki23 over 4 years ago

Wow, that’s a tough question! I’m not sure I could come up with ten.

Is it Unauthorized Practice Of Medicine to make someone wear a mask that is classified by the FDA as a medical device? I think so tell my why, why not, or if you can't or don't know how to answr. Thanks

Asked by Maria over 4 years ago

I have absolutely no idea.

is there any device in existance which can sense a possible forensic evidence and give you something to strat search with????

Asked by rekhab over 4 years ago

That depends on the kind of forensic evidence.