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

When women have been raped and they do a rape test kit, how can forensic scientists determine if the woman was raped or if it was consensual sex?

Asked by Steffaney Espinosa about 8 years ago

The rape kit will only show biological evidence of another person besides the victim. Bruising, injuries and testimony will be used to determine whether it was consensual or not.

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

Asked by a student about 8 years ago

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

Good afternoon Lisa!

I am currently taking a classes to earn my Bachelor's in Forensic Science, I just had some questions regarding your job now and how you went about getting your degree. Do you have an email were could communicate?

Thank you!

Asked by Cassidy Gould over 8 years ago

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

You mentioned internships earlier and I was just curious on how to approach them, as I am currently a sophmore in college and taking criminal justice classes, but not chemistry classes yet.

Asked by k101 about 8 years ago

Your advisor should be able to direct you. If not, then call all the crime labs in the area, city, county, state and ask them if they offer internships and how to apply.

I stumbled across a Forensic Program on FB. I asked them questions and the person on the other side told me that it is okay not to major in a science, but take several science courses. Should I take their word?

Asked by student about 8 years ago

Every agency will have their own requirements depending on the position and their preferences. For crime scene or to work in an evidence dept, a criminal justice major may be fine. If you can find a forensic science program that may be great. There is no one answer because it depends what positions they have at each agency.

I have an ultraviolet flashlight; orange goggles, & phosphate detector kit. Is this all a crime specialist would use to detect semen? The stains I’m finding are not turning purple, yet I’m sure it’s semen. Is there different method/product I can use?

Asked by PH13 almost 8 years ago

It may depend on how fresh the stain is and how fresh your reagents are. Plus just becuase something fluoresces does not mean it’s semen (see answer above).

What is the exact name of the job that is involved in collecting evidence and analyzing it, or is there no such thing? Like for example, does a Crime Scene Investigator's job include gathering evidence from the crime scene and later analyzing it?

Asked by Aman about 8 years ago

That’s a good question, because there is no hard and fast rule—your title is whatever your boss says it is. A CSI may work only at crime scenes or may also do any office or lab analysis as well, it depends on how big the unit is and how work is distributed.