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

A dead body washes up on a beach, and is investigated by forensic scientists. What evidence on the body would indicate sustained tiger attacks spanning a duration of three days + proof that the person died as a result of drowning and not the attacks?

Asked by Don Barry/Screenwriter almost 8 years ago

At a guess, I would suggest: slash marks that are too wide for a knife, some partially healed, would indicate animal claws inflicted at different times, but none deep enough or near vital arteries to cause bleeding out. Then water in the lungs would indicate drowning, though that is not always a definite indicator. Drowning is an elimination diagnosis, as in you eliminate other possible causes.

why did you choose this job/career

Asked by anthony melendez about 8 years ago

if you have homework assignment interview questions, please email me all of them at once at: Lisa-black@live.com and I’ll get back to you.

What steps should one take to become a forensic scientist in school? I am currently a student working on a BA in chemistry, but I don't know what the next step is as far as after college.

Asked by Brianne about 8 years ago

A good way to get a handle on the situation is to look at online job postings from places where you might want to work--the local police department, the county morgue, the state crime lab. They will post the duties and requirements for each position. You can also check the same information on the websites of professional organizations such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences or the International Association for Identification. That should give you a good start.

If a right handed person shoots himself in right temple with a 9 mm weapon while in a seated position in floor with back resting against bed and head slumped to his left, where is weapon likely to be found?

Asked by Jeannie over 8 years ago

I would guess in his lap or to his right, but it's impossible to know for sure, since you cannot know exactly how the body was positioned or how powerful the load of the bullet might have been.

research for a novel:
How would a severed hand found on a Cornish coast in autumn after two weeks at sea reveal that it had been in the sea that long and would you know roughly, how long the hand's owner might have lived for at sea? Thank you hugely!

Asked by Helene du Mauri over 8 years ago

Generally bodies in the water decompose more slowly than bodies exposed to air, but more specifically than that I cannot tell you. I did find this: https://digital.library.txstate.edu/handle/10877/4078

It's really a pathology question and not my area. Also colder temperatures will cause slower decomposition than warmer temps.

I definitely can't answer your second question but also, are you asking a) how long the person lived as a sailor b) how long the person was in the water before the hand was cut off or c) how long they might have survived in the water after the hand was cut off (assuming they had no access to a tourniquet and such like)? If you could locate someone who worked as a ship's doctor they might be a big help.

Best of luck!!

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 almost 9 years ago

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

Good afternoon!im just a bit curious.... at what college did you go to?

Asked by Anna over 8 years ago

Cleveland State University. I have a BS in Biology.