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

Have you ever done a case where you did not think the person who did it deserved to be locked up?

How did you handle it?


If you have not. How would you react to that? If you’re asked to do a case but don’t agree the person should be arrested?

Asked by Mike about 4 years ago

My job isn't like TV--I'm not involved in every single aspect of the investigation. My job is to provide forensic support to the detectives, so in any given case I estimate I know perhaps 20% of the overall information relating to the crime. I don't know what witnesses, victims, suspects have said, what financial or phone records might show, etc. etc. The detectives would probably tell me if I asked, but I'm usually too busy with all the other cases to ask.

Who to arrest and who to prosecute is up to the detectives and the prosecutors. They don't ask my opinion, and in light of the first paragraph, I probably couldn't give them an informed one.

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

Asked by Mike about 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.

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 over 4 years ago

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

What work do you do on a daily basis?

Asked by Janessa Dillon almost 4 years ago

At my department I mostly work with fingerprints, analyzing and comparing fingerprints that I collect off pieces of evidence or pick up at crime scenes or ones that the officers submit after they collect them at crime scenes. I will also go to crime scenes, photograph, collect prints, items of evidence, maybe test for blood or collect samples of blood with sterile swabs. There’s also a lot of time spent writing up all this information in our reports and other paperwork. If I worked in DNA or ballistics or toxicology, I would probably spend all day in the lab doing those types of analysis. So it depends on where you work, what services they provide, and what your exact position is. I hope that helps!

Hello! I have a friend that wants to be a Forensic Scientist! He recently graduated high school and is transitioning to college. Is there any summer jobs/ internships you would recommend for him that can increase his exposure to the field?

Asked by Carter about 4 years ago

I don’t believe there would be any summer jobs at a police department or crime lab, and internships are usually given to students who are college juniors or seniors. Though they should check with the police department, there might be volunteer or Explorer programs. Otherwise any job that involves lab work might help—not just hospitals but food or water testing sites.

Best of luck to them!

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 about 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.

How to identify if s nose was broken from a fall or from a punch

Asked by Doug over 4 years ago

I”m sorry but I have no idea—you’d need a pathologist for that one.