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

Would be able to give me a few tips on a resume since I'm going into the same field as you?

Asked by Steve about 5 years ago

Sure, you can send it to: Lisa-black@live.com

So do you pretty much get to do all the fun stuff without as much paper work?

Asked by Rae over 4 years ago

No, we have lots of paperwork. Lots.

At a postmortem crime scene where hair has fallen out from the victim, over time, is all the loose hair collected for evidence or just some of it

Asked by Leesa almost 5 years ago

That would depend a great deal on the circumstances. Any hair actually on the victim that does not appear to belong to the victim would likely be collected. If there was obviously a struggle, if the victim was beaten or strangled, hairs on their hands or caught in their fingers would warrant special attention or any clumps of hair nearby. If the victim's lying on a carpet that apparently hasn't been vacuumed for the past decade, then single hairs might be disregarded. If the person is outside and shot from a distance, then hairs would likely be disregarded.

I hope that helps!

What are the top 10 most fun/ interesting facts about your job?

Asked by Miki23 about 5 years ago

Wow, that’s a tough question! I’m not sure I could come up with ten.

is there any device in existance which can sense a possible forensic evidence and give you something to strat search with????

Asked by rekhab almost 5 years ago

That depends on the kind of forensic evidence.

Question regarding site not this sorry, but after you answer a question are you able to go back and edit it or even delete it afterword's

Asked by Sarah over 5 years ago

Yes.

How has forensic equipment changed and developed over the time of your career?

Asked by Christina Phokou almost 5 years ago

Departments have access to larger (county, state, sometimes federal) fingerprint databases, though it's still not like you see on TV. DNA analysts can now obtain a profile from 'touch DNA', someone simply touching an object. And video surveillance systems have become commonplace but also much easier to use with better clarity.