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

Hi Lisa thx for the answer. My question is it OK to declare vagal inhibition without sending hyoid bone to forensic lab. My fathers hyoid bone was not sent to forensic lab but was only manually examined. We suspect foul play here.

Asked by Raja over 9 years ago

A forensic lab wouldn't examine a hyoid bone. That would be done at the autopsy by the pathologist. To the best of my knowledge there isn't anything else to examine, just whether it's broken or not, and as I said it doesn't conclusively prove anything one way or the other.Best of luck.

What are some of the difficult parts of this job

Asked by Angel over 9 years ago

Being 'on call' and knowing you can be interrupted at any moment of the day and have to go to a crime scene, even if it's the middle of the night or a holiday. I've also had to change vacations because I have to testify in a trial. I hate that. 

Would there be DNA left if someone used a forge and turned a murder weapon (say a knife) into something else, or maybe just folded the steel multiple times?

Asked by RDSBandit over 9 years ago

I'm fairly sure that the high temperatures used in melting metal would destroy any DNA.

What do you like best about this job

Asked by Angel over 9 years ago

All the interesting, different, bizarre stories that make up the crimes that have happened that we have to investigate. 

i asked a question and didnt even realize i forgot to put my teachers email so il just give you mine (derektclamon@gmail.com) thank you!

Asked by trace clamon over 9 years ago

Okay, I emailed you.

What is the difference between a forensic scientist and a forensic science technician? Also, would I be able to major in Human Biology to become a Forensic Scientist?

Asked by RTasha over 9 years ago

A forensic scientist, forensic specialist, forensic technician can all be the same job or different jobs--your title is whatever your agency/boss says it is. There's no strict uniform code for titles. Usually any natural science is a good background for forensics. It may depend on whether you intend to work in a lab or on crime scenes. The best way is to look at job postings that interest you and see what the requirements are. You can view job postings on professional organizations' websites such as www.aafs.org or www.theiai.org. Good luck.

I'm not sure who to ask, but could you possibly explain the decomposition process of a shipwreck victim's body after 3 years of being underwater? Thank you for your time!

Asked by Irene almost 9 years ago

I'm sorry, I really couldn't. You need to ask a pathologist. Best of luck!!