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

Are you able to tell if a person was unconscious just before death after examining the body? For example if someone hit their head and knocked themselves unconscious before they actually died?

Asked by TS almost 7 years ago

I don't believe so (in fact I believe I address this question during an autopsy scene in my book Perish) but you'd have to ask a pathologist. Sorry I can't help.

Can a body be in water and not have rigamortis?

Asked by Amanda Marsh almost 7 years ago

As far as I know, water doesn’t change the process of rigor mortis. The temperature of the water may speed it up or slow it down, but the process would still occur.

Hi! I'm writing a research paper and wanted to know....What kind of specialized language do you use to communicate with other in your field? Doctors use things like "code blue", do you guys have something like that when you'r talking about case?

Asked by Des over 6 years ago

We don't have any particular code words so that only we know what we're talking about. Police departments have all sorts of codes for types of crime--such as, where I live, a signal 23 is a burglary. Signal 4 is a traffic accident. 10-8 means you're on duty and available. 10-6 means you're on duty but busy. If we're somewhere, like a crime scene, and we don't want other people to overhear us we're just careful to move away and out of earshot. Hope that helps!

Will Nancy Drew make you a better in a job like this is what is in the game anything similar?

Asked by asdfasdfasdf almost 6 years ago

I don’t know that game.

Which is better to be forensic scientist, forensic science in the middle and low university or biology in the good university?

Asked by Kim almost 7 years ago

It may depend on what you want to do. If you want to work crime scene, then you might be a more attractive candidate with all the hands-on practical work of a forensic science degree. But if you want to be a DNA analyst, then I’d go with biology. Best thing to do is call the labs where you might someday apply and ask them. Best of luck!

Why did you want to be in the criminology department?

Asked by jasmine nunez over 6 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 almost 6 years ago

I don’t know what you mean by that.