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

You have been asked to rush DNA testing for a homicide case. What information would you request before deciding if you think the testing should take priority over other cases? What ethical framework would you use to help make your decision?

Asked by Albus over 5 years ago

At my agency we send all DNA testing to the state lab. We can give them the scenario of our crime and ask them to rush testing, but how they decide to handle their casework is entirely up to them.

Hi Lisa, I am studying forensics for a project and I came across a couple images that have me stumped. I think they may be phony, but not sure. They are from a gore site (they are non nude). Can you help me determine some things about these pics?

Asked by HG over 5 years ago

What is it you’re going to want to know about them, because I may or may not be able to help.

Can “teen” porn on the internet be considered child pornography even if the people in them are not children but prenteding to be young teens/children

Asked by Sammy over 5 years ago

I don’t know. Luckily I don’t have to deal with those cases other than assisting in a search warrant, since I am not trained in downloading computers and phones (my coworker does that). I think you’’d have to ask a lawyer.

Sorry I meant badge number 100 as a example because they usually go by badge. Anyways sometimes they will call into base, dispatch, or station and I want to know the difference?

Asked by Nsnsns over 5 years ago

At my agency we’d be calling either Dispatch or, less likely, another person, in which case we’d use their badge number. What people call their dispatch unit, base, station, (we call them the name of the city, the first word in ‘such and such police department) probably depends on the habits of that particular agency. In other words there is no difference. Hope that helps!

What are some types of questions you wished people would stop asking

Asked by question to all over 5 years ago

Thanks for asking! I wish kids would stop cutting and pasting their homework questions for me to answer for them.

Do you ever use a CB radio that the cops and dispatchers use?

Asked by Random over 5 years ago

We used to, but only when we were at crime scenes, we wouldn’t have it on all the time when we are in the office. But somehow they went to new ones and we didn’t get any and have done without them since.

What would happen if someone was eating brains line in IZombie?

Asked by Darla over 5 years ago

They would put themselves at risk of contracting kuru, which is similar to Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.