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

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I stumbled across a Forensic Program on FB. I asked them questions and the person on the other side told me that it is okay not to major in a science, but take several science courses. Should I take their word?

Asked by student over 7 years ago

Every agency will have their own requirements depending on the position and their preferences. For crime scene or to work in an evidence dept, a criminal justice major may be fine. If you can find a forensic science program that may be great. There is no one answer because it depends what positions they have at each agency.

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 7 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!

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 7 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!

Hi, my name is Tyler and I have a lot of questions and was wondering if it was possible to talk to you one on one via email if that's OK. My email is tylerkinsler@yahoo.com.

Asked by Tyler over 7 years ago

Sure, I'll email you.

What does DNA contain? Other than a persons identity? Like a fingerprint found on an object, and it is swabbed, are there bactarias found as well?

Asked by Jazmin over 7 years ago

DNA is genetic material. Substances that contain cells that contain DNA, such as blood and sweat and saliva can have many other substances as well, but a crime lab would likely only look for DNA.

Can you tell the difference between blood from a cut and blood from a hemorrhage under a microscope?

Asked by Carla over 7 years ago

I couldn’t. I don’t know if a pathologist or biologist could.

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 7 years ago

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

Best of luck!