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.
When I was at the coroner's office, a typical day would be examining victim's clothing from a homicide or suicide, typing blood samples and testing gunshot residue samples. Now at the police department, a typical day is spent in front of the computer putting in latent prints that the officers or I have lifted from items and searching for a match, or checking past searches of new people put in the system. Then I might go out to process a burglary scene.
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It’s not easy to get a job in this field—there’s a lot of competition and staffs are not as large as you might think. The best thing you can do, after graduation if not before, is get an internship somewhere to get some practical experience and meet people. It will also help if you’re willing to relocate.
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No. Much blood will drain from all the cutting done during the autopsy, but no attempt is made to particularly remove it.
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From an object? Sure, if you clean the surface thoroughly.
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Bartender
What's the best way to get a bartender's attention?
Professor
How do you prevent cheating and plagiarism these days?
MBA Student
How many years of work experience do you REALLY need before applying?
It almost certainly would not be a deal-breaker. Just tell them the truth.
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When i go to a party people want to talk to me. That never happened before. Otherwise, it doesn't, except for the obvious scheduling/overtime problems.
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Yes, I'll email you when I'm back at work tomorrow.
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