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.
That depends entirely on what in the field of forensic science you want to do. The best way is to call some of the places you’d like to work as ask what their requirements would be, because they can vary all over the country. Smaller labs will want you to cross train.Larger ones might want you to specialize.
Good luck!!
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I don’t know that game.
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Being on call and having to leave dinner or get up in the middle of the night to go to a crime scene. And having to schedule vacations and events around whether I can get someone else to cover my call for me.
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The requirements to work in a forensic capacity depend upon the agency--it might be anything from a high school diploma to a PhD for DNA analysis. The only way to know is to contact each agency and ask. Or at least check their websites, or the websites of forensic organizations such as IAI and AAFS, which post job vacancies. Drawbacks can be a lower salary than in the private sector, hours of work, having to work overtime or be on call. I don't know what you mean by 'self employ,' sorry. There are no 'freelance' type forensic positions that I know of, unless you have a specialty like soil analysis or anthropology, then you might be able to work doing consulting work when needed. But you'd have to have many years experience before that would be an option. I hope that helps! Best of luck!
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Correctional Officer
Were there a lot of suicides in your prison, and what's the most common way prisoners do it?
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What's the MOST trashed you've ever found a hotel room?
Hospice Nurse
Which terminal diseases are the most painful to watch people go through?
I”m sorry but I don’t understand the question. What is physical fingerprinting and what is a scientific sphere?
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They’re all shocking, in their way, But there hasn’t been one in particular that bowled me over.
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If you want to be a DNA analyst you may need a Masters or PhD in genetics, depending on the requirements of the agency or facility. Check vacancy postings at professional organizations, such as https://webdata.aafs.org/public/jobs/postings.aspx and https://www.theiai.org/job_listings.php.
Best of luck!
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