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 steps should one take to become a forensic scientist in school? I am currently a student working on a BA in chemistry, but I don't know what the next step is as far as after college.

Asked by Brianne almost 8 years ago

A good way to get a handle on the situation is to look at online job postings from places where you might want to work--the local police department, the county morgue, the state crime lab. They will post the duties and requirements for each position. You can also check the same information on the websites of professional organizations such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences or the International Association for Identification. That should give you a good start.

When women have been raped and they do a rape test kit, how can forensic scientists determine if the woman was raped or if it was consensual sex?

Asked by Steffaney Espinosa almost 8 years ago

The rape kit will only show biological evidence of another person besides the victim. Bruising, injuries and testimony will be used to determine whether it was consensual or not.

Good afternoon Lisa!

I am currently taking a classes to earn my Bachelor's in Forensic Science, I just had some questions regarding your job now and how you went about getting your degree. Do you have an email were could communicate?

Thank you!

Asked by Cassidy Gould over 8 years ago

Sure, you can email me at Lisa-black@live.com.

You mentioned internships earlier and I was just curious on how to approach them, as I am currently a sophmore in college and taking criminal justice classes, but not chemistry classes yet.

Asked by k101 almost 8 years ago

Your advisor should be able to direct you. If not, then call all the crime labs in the area, city, county, state and ask them if they offer internships and how to apply.

Hi so I'm doing a school project on a career I want to do and I was wondering if there was any chance I was able to ask you questions about Forensic science and pathology?

Asked by Bri almost 8 years ago

Sure, email me at lisa-black@live.com

Okay I am righting a book, and I am looking for a way to describe it from a forensic scientist/analyzer's point of view. the man would die with a caved in skull, holding his brain in one hand, and his wife's heart in the other.

Asked by Paula almost 8 years ago

Sorry, I'm having a hard time picturing how what you're describing would be possible.

Well, according to the movie, as fingerprints leave an oily residue, they found traces of R-12 mixed with it. They also said that the uric acid levels in the eccrine gland residue were inconsistent with a guy with active metabolism. Too far fetched?

Asked by R-Mod almost 8 years ago

Yes. Unless they have a crime lab more incredibly equipped than any I've ever visited.