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

How (or where) can I get someone to review an autopsy for mistakes or inconsistencies, if corruption is suspected from the investigative agency that was present, and influential during the examination?

Asked by Lina about 6 years ago

You would need another forensic pathologist to review the work of the first forensic pathologist.

Best of luck.

Can you get a job as a forensic scientist with a degree in general biology

Asked by Stephen Tryens over 6 years ago

Again, titles and job requirements aren't uniform, so the only way to know is to call the crime labs in your area or whereever you might be interested in working and ask them. At the coroner's office we had to have at least a bachelor's in a natural science (this was before they had forensic science majors). At the police department where I am now, they only require a high school diploma but you get more points in the interviewing process for having a four year degree, so we all have one. You can also go on the websites for professional organizations such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and check out their job vacancy postings and see what the various positions require. Good luck.

I am applying for a grad. program that allows me to pursue a masters in forensic science and a PhD in Biochemistry. How would this compare to if I acquire a PhD in forensic science instead? Thank you.

Asked by Joe over 6 years ago

I'm sorry but I have absolutely no idea. You might call the labs at which you'd like to work and ask about the positions you'd like to get, and see what they suggest. They would know a lot more than I would.

Best of luck!

I just recently graduated from high school with some studies, since sophomore year, in Chemistry, Biology and I've read a bit of Psychology as well. Would you happen to think that'd be enough to get a career in forensics, here in the LA county?

Asked by J_Ven0406 over 6 years ago

The people to ask would be the people hiring forensics personnel in LA county. All agencies (the police department, the sheriff's office, the medical examiner's office) should all have websites that post current job openings. If they don't have any current postings, then you can always call them and ask. That's the only way to know for sure. Best of luck!

I am writing a paper for college about orthotolidine tests. Why do you think they were discontinued and have you ever used it in your professional career? Would you consider a positive orthotolidine test as conclusive evidence in court?

Asked by Penny Kap almost 6 years ago

I believe it’s a presumptive test, so it would not be considered ‘conclusive’ evidence, only an indication that further test (like DNA) would be appropriate.

I have never used an orthotolidine test, unless that’s the reagent in the Hemastix test strips. We used those a great deal at the coroner’s office—they’re very handy, but can have false positives. Deciding what reagent to use will always be a function of ease of use, possibility of false positives and false negatives, expense and hazards (such as carcinogenic properties).

Best of luck!

If you were given a 20GB hard drive that had been used to image an 8GB USB device and
found during analysis that more than the 8GB image was on the disk, what would this
indicate? How would you then proceed?

Asked by MK about 6 years ago

Sorry, but I’m not trained in digital forensics. I have absolutely no idea.

How long would it take you to analyze evidence?

Asked by Denise_ot5 almost 6 years ago

That completely depends on what kind of evidence and what analysis we’re doing.