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.
Good question. If the surface isn't disturbed and the temperature and humidity are cool and steady, I know fingerprints can last indefinitely, so I suppose skin cells would last as well.
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For school projects please email me at: lisa-black@live.com
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You can cut off a sample of the tampon or sheet (if you don't want to cut a hole in your sheet, just take a clean cotton swab, dampen with water, and rub on the stain until some of the stain transfers...do that before you wash the sheet or it probably won't work well). Let it air-dry, if necessary, and package in a clean envelope. Then rub a clean cotton swab on the inside of your own mouth for your own standard and seal in a separate clean envelope. Don't put anything in plastic. You should be able to get those tested at a lab, such as LabCorp, though it might take some explaining since they usually do parent-child comparisons. This will cost you anywhere from $250 to $600, according to their website. Of course all that will do is tell you if the blood is yours. It won't tell you whose it is. PS if it's a tiny amount on the sheets it could also be from him--shaving nick, shin scrape, that sort of thing. We bleed a lot more than we realize.
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In the way of helping to solve crimes.
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Navy Officer (Former)
Why do so many people miss the military after they get out?
SWAT Team Commander (Retired)
How do you decide whether to try and kill a hostage taker?
CBP Officer
Do you catch less marijuana at the border now that it's being decriminalized in some States?
Bleach will also destroy DNA but of course that may damage items. Soap and water will do.
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Sorry for the late response--sure, email me at lisa-black@live.com.
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I would guess that you should major in biology and minor in forensic science. I don't believe that a general forensic science program would be specific enough for a biologist job. But you should check want ads to see what they require.
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