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

About 6 mos ago i lived w people who want to steal my dna to get a rape conviction and sue me for 2.6 million. Can forensic stuff tell that my nail was shed 6 mos ago,not now?

Asked by Samuel waller about 7 years ago

No.

Something about hydrocarbons

Asked by Junz over 7 years ago

But what sample were they testing? What piece of evidence were they analyzing in the gas chromatograph?

Hello. I am a senior in high school that must do an interview for a career. I was wondering if I could interview you. My email is brimattia661@gmail.com . Thank you.

Asked by Brianne about 7 years ago

I'll email you.

If someone takes their own life by hanging will they have rope fibers on their hands (cotten rope), will the furrow be completely around their neck and if the person is right handed will the knot be on the right side? Thank you

Asked by Kim about 7 years ago

They would most likely have rope fibers on their hands whether they hung themselves or were strangled. No, the furrow will usually get less deep and maybe disappear, depending on how tight the rope is, toward the spot where the knot is since it is usually higher up on the body as gravity pulls the body downward. As far as I know the location of the knot will depend on where it’s tied, if it’s slid around before suspension occurs, and the structure of the knot (if it slips or not). Being right or left handed shouldn’t make a difference therefore.

What can you tell me about death related to homicide, suicide and car fatalities.

Asked by Annette Davis over 6 years ago

That’s an exceedingly broad question that could take a stack of textbooks to answer.

When making a identity from a fire do you make it by random teeth found or teeth in jaw bone? Or how do you determine that?

Asked by Cybill over 7 years ago

Hi Cybill, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I believe that they can use the inside of a tooth for DNA analysis, but of course if the tooth is loose they may not be able to determine which body it came from if there's more than one. I expect a dentist would need the teeth still in the jaw to compare with dental x-rays in order to make a comparison that way, but it may all depend on what work, if any, has been done to the tooth and how distinctive that work is. I'm not a DNA analyst (any more) or a dentist so I'm not 100% sure.

Is it feasible for forensic scientist to work only on the chemistry side of forensics? I enjoy chemistry, but dislike biology, and dislike the idea of working on bodily fluids. Would a forensic CHEMIST still analysis biological fluid?

Asked by Samarkand over 7 years ago

Many forensic chemistry departments only analyze possible drugs, so I would think it would be possible to find.