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

Reading a book & evangelist claims to have raised someone dead for about six hours. He pinched her nose, picked up her hand & leg they just flopped down. Is this possible with Rigor Mortis?

Asked by Mia over 7 years ago

I’m not a pathologist but I think it’s possible even if not likely. Bodies start to stiffen in 1-2 hours but rigor reaches its peak somewhere around 12 hours. It can depend a great deal on temperature, body type and medical conditions.

What does your wok schedule
look like?

Asked by Denisse Parada over 6 years ago

We work 40 hours a week but one of us will be on call during the rest of the time, when no one is at work, 24/7/365.

Lisa, I'm a published author working on a novel. Woman was murdered and buried 20+ years ago. Can authorities 1) determine her identity and 2) Can they tell whether she was pregnant when she died? Thank you in advance!

Asked by Jack almost 7 years ago

Answer to both is: maybe. If she was buried in the earth over 20 years, unless the ground was always frozen or so dry that she mummified, there will most likely be only skeletal remains left. So they might be able to establish identity from dental records, medical device implants (say a pacemaker or an artificial hip), or something left in the grave with her (like an ID card). I believe anthropologists can tell from the pelvic bone if someone has given birth, but not if pregnant at the time of death. However depending on how far along the baby is, they might have their own bones present so then it would be obvious. Best of luck!

I wanna know few details about image created date, modified and accessed date.if created and accessed date time same can i confirm that i viewed or saved or deleted the image by modify date.because i allowed automatically download media option in viber and when i check propertis of image without i seen or accessed how it comes with different modify date and same created accessed date.and same thing in viber/.thumbnail file because i never seen those images.

Asked by Bryan over 7 years ago

I'm so sorry but I don't know. I'm not trained in digital forensics.

What exactly is Forensic Science? What are the components of it? What did you major in university to work as a Forensic Scientist?

Asked by Jasmine over 7 years ago

It is scientific information applied to matters pertaining to the law. And what you major in depends on what area you're going in to--pathology, toxicology, entemology, etc.

is there any "dream" future advancement that can be made to help improve the forensic processes?

Asked by MB2000 about 7 years ago

Automatic access to a national fingerprint database. Even though you see it on TV every day, it's not really possible for police departments. At best we are tied into the state database, but not any sort of national or international one, at least not without a lot of hoops.

How important are strong written and verbal communication skills in your field? ( I’m asking as an English assignment )

Asked by Madison about 7 years ago

Well, they need to be complete and accurate, but otherwise the actual English used can be pretty basic. Happily we’re not graded on our composition skills!