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

I have an ultraviolet flashlight; orange goggles, & phosphate detector kit. Is this all a crime specialist would use to detect semen? The stains I’m finding are not turning purple, yet I’m sure it’s semen. Is there different method/product I can use?

Asked by PH13 over 8 years ago

It may depend on how fresh the stain is and how fresh your reagents are. Plus just becuase something fluoresces does not mean it’s semen (see answer above).

I want to use aconite in a skin cream for the murder "weapon" in my mystery novel. Could he add enough to kill, but not right away?

Asked by Gloria over 8 years ago

I'm sorry but that's beyond my technical expertise. You need a toxicologist for that one.

Best of luck!

I applied for a forensic technician position and I have a online interview to do within the next five days what should I expect?

Asked by DeMario over 8 years ago

I would expect it to be like any other interview--they will ask about your education and experience. If there is any practical experience you have, such as lab analyses, fingerprinting, what programs you used, they may ask specific questions about that such as which software did you use, did you use a mass spec or an electron microscope, etc. If there's things you haven't done, you might say you're aware of the theory of, say, bullet trajectory analysis but haven't had any hands-on experience. That's perfectly okay, no one is an expert in everything. Best of luck!

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 over 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.

Hello, I have some questions that I would feel better if I asked through a personal email if that is alright with you. May I ask for your email you?

Asked by YTK111 over 8 years ago

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

During your High school year what subjects did you take in order to get to where you are today? Also what courses would you suggest to take for someone looking to become a forensic scientist?

Asked by katelin about 8 years ago

Take as many science and then math courses as you can.

Best of luck!

Many of the forensic scientist jobs require experience in addition to education. I have a master's degree in forensics but how do I obtain the experience if it is already a minimum requirement for the job?

Asked by shay over 8 years ago

That is difficult. An internship is the best thing but they may be scarce. First check with your guidance counselor or forensic teachers at school to see if they can help you. Then call the crime labs in your area to see if they offer any sort of intership or long-term shadowing/volunteer work. You might also check the state and local agencies--ours had community volunteers and Public Service Aides who do some crime scene work. Best of luck!