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

Cadaveric spasm has also been called 'instantaneous rigor'. Will muscles/muscle groups frozen from cadaveric spasm 'unfreeze' before the muscles that froze from rigor mortis?

Asked by Tom Phillips almost 8 years ago

I'm sorry I can't help but that's a pathology question. I do not know.

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Asked by Shane over 7 years ago

I think it's unlikely that there wouldn't be any injuries, but I'm afraid I couldn't tell you. You would need a pathologist for that.

I am the one who asked the question about a right handed person shooting himself in the right temple with a 9 mm weapon.
This was my grandson and the answer is extremely important to me. I found him. if I give more info , can you give more detail?

Asked by Jeannie over 7 years ago

I'm so sorry for your loss! However I doubt I could tell you anything more. I believe it's impossible to tell exactly what physics will take place. If you'd like, email me at Lisa-black@live.com with your details and I'll see if I can give you any opinions that might help.

How stressful is the job, and how do you cop? Was the job more than you expected it to be?

Asked by ssosiak1 about 8 years ago

It can be very stressful at times when unexpected overtime or court interferes with life plans, and at times when we are exhausted/hungry/have five detectives all wanting different things at once. But I just focus on the job what needs to be done right now and looking forward to a shower and bed. No, the job is about what I expected.

If a person died from a bullet wound within an hour and his eyes are open and he was shot 24 more times will his eyes stay open or would they shut from muscle contractions. If alive with 1 shot, then shot 24 times will eyes be open or shut

Asked by Ggrreenn almost 8 years ago

I have no idea. It could be either. It doesn't matter how many times they were shot. As far as I know it would only matter if their eyes were open or not at the moment they died, not what happened before or after they died.

Where would you say is the best university to study forensic science?

Asked by Dom almost 8 years ago

I'm sorry but I wouldn't have any idea. They didn't even have forensic science degrees when I went to school.

I’ve always wanted to be a forensic scientist and I’m in first year of college. Im struggling in the college level biology class and losing hope. I just think I’m not smart enough because many teachers had told me I’m not. Do you have any suggestions

Asked by Julia over 7 years ago

First of all, no teacher should ever tell you you're 'not smart enough' for a field.

Second, not all forensic work involves a great deal of biology--really only DNA analysis and serology do. Toxicology will require a good chemistry background. But specialized fields such as latent prints, crime scene investigator, questioned documents, digital evidence, ballistics and impression evidence would use little to no biology.

If a formal degree becomes a problem, you might want to see if you can start out in an Evidence/Property area and work up from there.

Best of luck!