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

Do you think the so-called CSI effect has changed the way evidence is collected and the lab tests that are done?

Asked by Marcus about 10 years ago

Sorry--I answered this one earlier, I don't know why it didn't post. Anyway, I don't think it has changed anything about how we do things (assuming everyone was doing them properly in the first place). All it has done is increase the amount of paperwork that comes along with doing them. Which is a tedious thing, but not a bad thing. 

hkhkhk

Asked by talha over 10 years ago

Please don't let your child surf the net unattended.

can I become a forensic scientist if I have dyslxyia

Asked by john over 10 years ago

I don't see why not. I have a friend who has dyslxyia and he became a schoolteacher.

Applying to a Forensic Scientist (DNA) position and alil freaked about the polygraph test. I'm content with who I am but any way you can spill the beans to what kinds of questions/things are asked? Like are family members called in?Just anxious. lol

Asked by LandRover almost 10 years ago

They may ask if you've ever stolen from an employer, if you've taken illegal drugs, and if you've ever betrayed someone's trust. Answers have to be 'yes' or 'no' but they may let you explain. Just tell the truth and don't worry about it, it's perfectly normal to be nervous. And if they say some answers came up 'deceptive' you can dispute the point. During my polygraph, the blood pressure cuff was so tight it felt like it was cutting off my arm, so towards the middle I was in so much pain I think that affected the results. Then it began to go numb and the pain eased so there was a difference in the reading. So if you disagree with the results, go ahead and say so. 

They'll let you know if they're going to contact family or friends. 

If someone was murdered and the body left exposed to the elements for a three or four days then buried it, how would the body appear if dug up a week or so later? Bloated? Would the insect larvae be alive? Is it easy to tell what happened?

Asked by steve over 10 years ago

Sorry--I posted an answer to this but somehow it's not here now so...I'll answer again. This is really a question for a pathologist. I can tell you that there is a huge difference between bodies that are exposed and bodies or even parts of bodies that are not, so the pathogist may be able to tell that it was exposed first. Whether larvae would still be alive probably depends on temperature and how deeply the body had been buried.  

Re: semen stains on men's boxer-brief...Would the same size/area of garment stain be present after masturbation as for stain after intercourse without showering? Way to tell if vag secretions are present as well?

Asked by tinamh over 10 years ago

Wow, that's another really specific one...I don't see a way to tell whether the stain would be the same size, that would depend on time elapsed, intervening activity and personal habits. There is definitely a way to separate male from female cells however, so yes DNA analysis would identify both parties.

can I become a forensic scientist if I am doing betc science

Asked by john over 10 years ago

I'm sorry, I don't know what betc science is.