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 currently work as a Lab Tech in the Military and looking into future careers. I have a huge interest in forensics. The problem is I have a little bit of a criminal history when I was a kid. Will this be an issue when it comes to finding a job?

Asked by Re over 7 years ago

I doubt it. It depends on how little it was, and if those juvenile records are sealed (they usually are) but if it didn't prevent you from joining the military I'm guessing it wouldn't affect you working in a crime lab.

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.

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.

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 about 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!

After 11 months, what would be the condition of an not-embalmed corpse entombed but not buried. The tomb was sealed but not airtight.

Asked by Geoffrey James about 7 years ago

Alas, I really don't know. I think it depends on many cirucumstances, the temperature, the pH and the humidity. I can tell you that covered corpses break down much more slowly than those exposed to air so there's a good chance, if the environment was somewhat cool and dry, that there would be a good amount of flesh left on the body. If the environment was hot and humid, it might be completely decomposed into inches of sludge. Hope that helps.

Can a child who is allegedly punched several times by an adult. Get a bump and not bruise? and do bruises typically take 2 weeks to fade. Why 6 days later am I not seeing even a faded yellow mark. I am so confused!!!

Asked by Katie Strange about 7 years ago

I don't know exactly, but I know from personal experience that bruises are strange and unpredictable. I can bump into something terribly hard and have no mark, and then have a huge bruise from some injury I only very vaguely remember. I also don't know exactly how long they take to fade, and that might also be affected by how deep they were in the first place or the physical condition of the person. Sorry I can't be more help.

I am interested in becoming a forensic scientist and I just finished school with a Bachelor's. I was wondering how hard will it be to get a job if I take 3 years off to see the world? I have always wanted this job but I want to makesuremyfutureisgood

Asked by Kimmi over 6 years ago

I honestly have no idea. I don’ t think it would necessarily hurt you. What will be more important at hire is your training and experience—and it depends on what you want to do. If you want to be a DNA analyst you’ll probably need postgraduate degrees. If you want to do crime scene work you will need hands-on college courses and preferably an internship or two. If you want to do laboratory analysis then some sort of laboratory experience will be best. Is there a way you can present your travels as having increased your knowledge of forensics?