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

Saying that they DID do what ever it is they are being accused of?

Asked by Mike over 4 years ago

There have been a few cases in which I testified where the defendants were found not guilty, and I was fine with that. In some there simply wasn't sufficient evidence, in one it was clearly self-defense, in two the defendants were charged with murder and I figured it should have been manslaughter. But that's why we have a jury system, and they did a good job.

Outside of work are you interested in True Crime? Before you where a Forensic Scientist and a true crime author ?? where you into true crime? Fictional or real cases as well

Asked by Mr. Treesorrow over 4 years ago

Yes, I love true crime. I read pretty much the entire section of the downtown branch of the Cleveland Public Library while I was a secretary before I got into forensics. The books I write are fiction but I'd love to write true crime.

At a postmortem crime scene where hair has fallen out from the victim, over time, is all the loose hair collected for evidence or just some of it

Asked by Leesa almost 5 years ago

That would depend a great deal on the circumstances. Any hair actually on the victim that does not appear to belong to the victim would likely be collected. If there was obviously a struggle, if the victim was beaten or strangled, hairs on their hands or caught in their fingers would warrant special attention or any clumps of hair nearby. If the victim's lying on a carpet that apparently hasn't been vacuumed for the past decade, then single hairs might be disregarded. If the person is outside and shot from a distance, then hairs would likely be disregarded.

I hope that helps!

Would be able to give me a few tips on a resume since I'm going into the same field as you?

Asked by Steve almost 5 years ago

Sure, you can send it to: Lisa-black@live.com

Have you ever done a autopsy on a animaln

Asked by Ryan about 5 years ago

I haven’t ever done an autopsy at all, since I’m not a pathologist. They can be done on animals, usually it’s called a necropsy and may be done by a veterinarian.

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.

So do you pretty much get to do all the fun stuff without as much paper work?

Asked by Rae over 4 years ago

No, we have lots of paperwork. Lots.