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

Do I need a bachelor's degree in both forensic science and Biology to become a forensic biologist, because many universities i like don't offer forensics, so i'd have to take forensics at a 2 year college and some website say i need bachelors in both

Asked by Ailyn over 9 years ago

That depends on what agencies mean by the title 'forensic biologist' and what your job duties would be. The only way to know that is to contact them and ask. You can also check websites of forensic organizations such as American Academy and the International Association for Identification and look at their job postings. That will give you an idea of requirements for different positions.

What are the major clues that indicate a murder?

Asked by bart white almost 9 years ago

That would depend entirely on the circumstances and method of murder, wouldn't it? If they are such that it would be impossible for the person to have died by accident, suicide, or of natural causes, then murder would be suspected.

How do you use chemistry in your job as a forensic scientist?

Asked by Kayla Fitzgerald over 8 years ago

I use it the way you use your computer without writing code. I have chemicals that I use to process for prints, but we just purchase them. There are a few reagents we mix ourselves. At the coroners office we mixed almost all ourselves. A toxicologist, on the other hand, would use it every day.

Do you usually have a lot of free time or none at all?

Asked by Emily over 9 years ago

Not much free time, no. There's always work to do.

what on going knowledge does your job keep up with.

Asked by amelia almost 9 years ago

Our office gets journals from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the International Association for Identification, as well as smaller publications like newsletters for the Florida Division of the IAI and the one for the association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts.

Would taking Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Criminology for A levels be a good start for this job or should I opt for a different option?

Asked by Katrina almost 9 years ago

I think those sound like fabulous courses for this field.

if you could choose, would you rather work in a lab or on a crime scene?

Asked by kenia about 9 years ago

I like doing both, because being in the lab all the time can get tedious, but being at crime scenes all the time can get exhausting.