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.
I couldn't tell you--I haven't personally done any studies of bystanders at a shooting. GSR analysis is usually testing for primer residue, which can escape from the gun when fired. So someone could have GSR on their hands if they handled a gun, if they touched a surface near to where a gun was fired, if they handled the gun after it was fired, etc. This is why, though they've stated this on television every day for fifty years, having gunshot residue on your hands doesn't prove you fired a gun. Not having gunshot residue on your hands doesn't prove you have not fired a gun. The particles are very tiny and easily dislodged. These are some of the reasons why most agencies don't do gunshot residue analysis any more. Hope that helps!
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That sounds odd, but were they looking for blood or semen stains in particular, or just the DNA of whoever wore it?
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Unfortunately, no, I cannot. I've never worked in toxicology. Sorry I couldn't help.
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Parcel Delivery Mailman
Does labeling a package "fragile" actually lead to you handling it with more care?
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Are Peace Corps volunteers just a bunch of "hippie freaks?"
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Do friends with office jobs look down on what you do?
It means that, like most people, they get tired of people asking them stupid questions.
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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.
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I have no idea what you mean by ‘water’ and I don’t see why nighttime would make a difference.
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