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 is the best college in Minnesota to get a Forensic Science Bachelor's Degree at?

Asked by Talia over 8 years ago

I have no idea. They didn't have forensic science degrees when I went to school. But I will check with a friend of mine who teaches.

How fast would a Chevy Cavalier 2000 year model, 2.2 liter, 4 cylinder, have to go to throw a child less than 80 lbs and 3'7 & 5/8? What would the MPH be????

Asked by Brandy about 9 years ago

As I am not trained in accident investigation, I wouldn't have any idea.

What is the first thing a forensic team does when they reach the crime scene in this case homicide?

Asked by marge white over 8 years ago

Get everybody out of it, and then take pictures.

I am writing a paranormal suspense thriller novel and I need to know if you could figure out a person's identity in 2010 if all you had were the eyeballs and they were preserved since the 1970s.

Asked by Yvonne Schuchart over 8 years ago

My guess would be no. I would think the formaldehyde would destroy the DNA in the cells, though I don’t know for sure, and in any event they weren’t doing DNA in the 70’s so you’d have to find something of the person’s to compare the eyeball DNA. If you have something of the person’s retained from the 70’s, especially hair for example, perhaps there is mitochondrial DNA in some cell in the eyeballs that could still be obtained and compared to the mDNA from the hair.Otherwise I doubt ophthalmologists would take or save retinal scans back in the 70’s. Hope that helps. Best of luck!

Hello Lisa
Iam a researcher for a major company and Iam looking for a test method that would allow me determine how much blood would be left on the body after a bandage or fem pad was removed? Can you help? Thank you

Asked by Rodger over 8 years ago

I'm afraid not. I'm guessing that would depend entirely on how large the bandage is and how much the person bled. Best of luck!

is there a way for me to contact you directly so i can ask more questions

Asked by a student over 8 years ago

Sure you can email me at lisa-black@live.com

I have a niece that wishes to be a forensic scientist. She did not have the best grades and she is struggling trying to get her AA degree from a 2 year community college in forensics. She now has a baby. What would you suggest?

Asked by mikeruth12 over 8 years ago

She should try to get an internship with a local agency--city, county, state police or medical examiner's. Practical experience will count for a lot. However much depends on what kind of forensic scientist she wants to be--does she want to do crime scene work, in which case most of the training is on the job, or does she want to work in a lab, in which case she'll probably need at least a BA in biology or chemistry. She can check forensic organization websites and government websites for job vacancy postings to get an idea of what the job requirements are. She might also check out entry level positions. At our department we have PSA--Public Service Aides, a paid position that's basically a step between community volunteers and sworn officers. They do more cop-type things, but will make contacts and learn a lot. They do things like direct traffic at accident scenes, take burglary reports and process scenes for fingerprints. She might also want to consider that forensic positions involving crime scene work often have unpredictable hours and sometimes overtime, which might be difficult to juggle with child care arrangements.