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

What does it mean if a cadaver had "abundant amount of mud on the hands," if the body was in the water for two weeks and it was swift water for days?

Asked by Lina N Lete over 7 years ago

‘Abundant’ probably just means the hands were smeared with mud on some parts, not that they had clumps of mud in them. Why it would be on the hands after being in water—some possible reasons might be that the body got hung up in muddy shallows and that’s why it was found, or it was dragged over muddy areas when pulled from the water. As I don’t have any picture of where it was or how it was recovered, that’s my best guess.

What is the regular intern day/night shift?

Asked by Crime Scene Investigator about 7 years ago

We don't have a set schedule for interns. They'll come in on weekdays, but other than that we work with their school/work schedule.

Have you ever been emotional with the cases you have worked on?

Asked by Denise_ot5 about 7 years ago

Once in a great while something will catch me when I’m not expecting it. But very rarely.

How much school is need to become a forensic scientist, as well as what classes do you need to take?

Asked by Denisse Parada about 7 years ago

The job requirements are whatever the hiring agency says they are, so it could be anything from a high school diploma to a PhD in genetics. The only way to know is to call the department or check their website for job vacancies.

Why did you want to be in the criminology department?

Asked by jasmine nunez about 7 years ago

If you have a list of homework questions, please email me at: Lisa-black@live.com

Why do some think that these forms are chat rooms?

Asked by Donaldsonerson over 6 years ago

I don’t know what you mean by that.

After a person kills themself with firearm, does their hand maintain the grip or does the gun fall from the hand?

Asked by Vin over 6 years ago

It depends upon their position and the recoil of the gun and mostly on gravity. I've seen a few where the gun is in their hand, not so much because they're gripping it but because the hand falls to their lap or their side or something. But most of the time the gun has fallen to the floor or at least a lower spot.