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.
It means that, like most people, they get tired of people asking them stupid questions.
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Unfortunately, no, I cannot. I've never worked in toxicology. Sorry I couldn't help.
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Like any job it has its tedious moments, but yes I like it.
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Sure, I visited crime labs and the coroner’s office before I got my first forensics job—usually it was just a tour and answering questions though I got to sit in with a police class at the coroner’s and view an autopsy and hear some lectures. Then I would do the same when we had visiting students. Interns are here for a longer period. We usually have them do minor paperwork and tasks and they can observe our work with evidence, fingerprints, scenes, etc so we can explain what we’re doing and why. It’s a great experience. I think you’ll find people in forensics very friendly and helpful. Best of luck to you!
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What do you look for when auditioning candidates for reality TV?
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How did you feel with the passing of your first patient?
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I can’t speak to this guy’s course specifically, but deception detection training is often offered to detectives and law enforcement personnel. I sat in on a two day course through my department once, just to use in my writing.
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Nothing's really 'dumb' since every case involves, a minimum, property loss or inconvenience. Criminals can be dumb...the best example I can think of was when a bunch of boys broke the glass in a door to get into a jewelry store, couldn't find much to take, then were hightailing it out of there as the alarm rang and one was trying to climb back out the broken window and not having much luck when his buddy barreled through the other door simply by pushing the push bar on it. The video was hilarious.
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Yes, unlike what you see on television, evidence doesn’t necessarily ‘prove’ anything. It all depends on circumstances. If the victim’s blood is on the suspect’s shirt and he says he never met her, that’s vital evidence. If he found the body and tried to revive her, then it likely means nothing. Or bloodstains might tell me the victim was stabbed six inches away from the wall, but that doesn’t tell me who stabbed him. But if the perpetrator is caught and describes what happened, the bloodstains might corroborate or disprove his story. I hope that helps.
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