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

If you were mandated to take the COVID-19 shot by your employers. Would you or would you not take it?

Asked by Tommie over 4 years ago

A) Totally unrelated to forensics.B) Already have it so it's not relevant.

What do you think is the minimum age for becoming a Forensic Scientist? Since it’s not (mostly) a sworn position can someone under 21 become one? What about under 18?

Asked by Samuel about 5 years ago

That entirely depends on the requirements of the hiring agency. Since they’d probably require advanced schooling so hirees would wind up being older. It also might have to do with liability if the person would need to drive agency vehicles, etc.

Do you have to have special skills to do this? Do you have to have a certain level of fitness?

Asked by Tori over 4 years ago

You will most likely need at least an associates degree in forensics or a natural science. How agile you need to be depends on what you're doing--if you're working in a lab, consistently on level ground, a disability would not be an issue. If you're doing crime scene work and you need to sometimes climb on top of roofs or into attics, out in fields, etc., then you need to be mobile. But nothing like police officers or rescue personnel.

Hope that helps!

how long can a DNA be found on a dried semen stain on skin considering the swab was taken after ejaculation's by more than 36 hours and the skin area haven't been washed

Asked by jo over 4 years ago

If the stain is still visible, then clearly the semen is still there, so I see no reason why it wouldn't still have DNA in it. There might be a mixture from swabbing up the skin cells as well as the stain.

Hope that helps!

Can you have neck tattoos?

Asked by Joseph about 4 years ago

Yes.

Do you know anything about the tools a Forensic Toxicologist uses. Or, what equipment do you use also, the maintenance of said equipment.

Asked by GunKillerOdin over 4 years ago

I know they utilize most a GC and Mass Spec, a Gas Chromatograph and a Mass Spectrometer, but I've never used either one.

Why did this site pick up in traffic and then slow way down?

Asked by Mikey about 4 years ago

I have no idea.