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

what was the craziest case you have ever worked on?

Asked by john34 about 8 years ago

I haven’t worked any really crazy ones, and sorry but any semi crazy ones would take too long to explain.

What type of equipment do you operate? How did you learn to operate the equipment?

Asked by Violet almost 9 years ago

Over the years I've operated a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, alternate light sources, a photography setup, and various software programs. Venders or other employees train me to use them.

Do you usually have a lot of free time or none at all?

Asked by Emily over 8 years ago

Not much free time, no. There's always work to do.

As a forensic scientist, do you use the diameter of blood splatters as clues to how the crime happened?

Asked by Rylee about 8 years ago

Yes, the arcsin of the width divided by the length of the stain will give you the angle of impact at which the blood struck the surface (usually a wall). The direction of the stains can be traced back to a point of convergence and from there the angles can be traced back to a distance from the wall, giving you the approximate point in space where the blow was struck.

So I am going to get my associates degree (and a forensic certification), is that enough to get a job working for a forensic police department?

Asked by Geo about 8 years ago

I have no idea. You'll have to ask the agency to which you are applying. They may all have different requirements.

Did you ever puke or feel funny on a certain case?

Asked by MarieAbend about 8 years ago

I got a little queasy at my very first autopsy, but since then, no.

I played a video game recently that had two murderers - separate murders - freeze their respective victims' bodies to throw off the time of death. Does that actually work? If so, how long does it take to unfreeze?

Asked by R-Mod about 8 years ago

Changing the ambient temperature either up or down and then changing it back will affect a pathologist's estimate of time of death because they usually take that into consideration. I couldn't guess how long it would take it to unfreeze, but at room temperature I would think several hours at a minimum.