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 kinds of people do you both love and hate working with? Thanks

Asked by Liam over 3 years ago

Well, as in any job, I like working with people who are competent, responsible and pleasant, whether they're forensic techs, cops, attorneys, or victims. And I dislike working with the opposite qualities.

If you ask a cop why do all cops have short hair and the cop says something like “we cut it short so we don’t pull it all out” what does that mean?

Asked by Ryan almost 4 years ago

It means that, like most people, they get tired of people asking them stupid questions.

Since, you are in the forensics field. Do you know anything about forensic toxicologists? If so can you elaborate on what you know about this field?

Asked by GunKillerOdin over 3 years ago

Unfortunately, no, I cannot. I've never worked in toxicology. Sorry I couldn't help.

Hi Lisa! Besides taking science based classes, I also want to shadow some criminalists that I connected with on LinkedIn. Have you ever shadowed/had someone shadow you? What was it like?

Asked by Theresa over 3 years ago

Sure, I visited crime labs and the coroner’s office before I got my first forensics job—usually it was just a tour and answering questions though I got to sit in with a police class at the coroner’s and view an autopsy and hear some lectures. Then I would do the same when we had visiting students. Interns are here for a longer period. We usually have them do minor paperwork and tasks and they can observe our work with evidence, fingerprints, scenes, etc so we can explain what we’re doing and why. It’s a great experience. I think you’ll find people in forensics very friendly and helpful. Best of luck to you!

Hi, for How long the sexual assault can still be detected in vagina, cervix, mouth and on clothes if there was vaginal ejaculation and no barrier

Asked by Lembalo about 3 years ago

I really don't know. I haven't done DNA analysis or biological analysis like that in over 20 years.

Sorry I can't help!

Accused of rape, she has changed the times from morning to night, claims semen was in her knickers but if it happened at night semen would of turned to water?

Asked by Pat about 3 years ago

I have no idea what you mean by ‘water’ and I don’t see why nighttime would make a difference.

Do you know anything about the tools a Forensic Toxicologist uses. Or, what equipment do you use also, the maintenance of said equipment.

Asked by GunKillerOdin over 3 years ago

I know they utilize most a GC and Mass Spec, a Gas Chromatograph and a Mass Spectrometer, but I've never used either one.