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

Have you ever interviewed a suspect? What is the RIED, PEACE, cognitive, kinesthetic, among other interview and interrogation why is there so many styles???

Asked by Silly Lilly almost 6 years ago

I don’t interview suspects—or victims or witnesses.That’s the detective’s job. I’m there to analyze and collect evidence.

What is the correct way to gather DNA address using mouth swab and if it's not done correctly is it considered contaminated

Asked by Britni about 6 years ago

Basically just use a sterile swab, rub it on the inside of the cheeks, and package it with a desiccant or in a paper envelope that would allow a little bit of air flow (not plastic). As long as it’s not soaked in someone else’s DNA or bleach or something, it’s pretty foolproof.

If fingerprints are collected from evidence that can be bagged, does this happen on the scene or later, at the lab? Has this procedure changed over time?

Asked by Satoko over 6 years ago

It hasn’t changed. In general it’s best to process an item at the scene so that handling and possible smudging is kept to a minimum, but it depends on many circumstances. If there isn’t a clean dry place to do it or if the person at the scene doesn’t feel their expertise is adequate for the particular item or mostly if the item needs other processing than the simple black powder or mag powder. If it’s a porous item like plastic or vinyl or paper and might need to be superglued or sprayed with dye, then it should be transported to the lab.

Can a vehicle to cyclist collision pattern of injuries be similar to a fall from height?

Asked by CNAJ2 about 6 years ago

I”m sorry but I have no idea.

What questions does the CSI need to ask the police officers who attended the crime scene first?

Asked by Nansi Vladimirova (Undergrad Forensics) almost 6 years ago

Usually they’ll tell me the basics, what seems to have happened—there’s a body in the bedroom, this car hit that car, the homeowners came home to a broken front window and are missing jewelry from one bedroom but nothing else. Usually it’s everything they know, in general, but mostly what’s relevant to me. I don’t need to know the whereabouts and timeline for every suspect, but I need to know when the victim was seen last, when the neighbor heard shots, that the gun was removed from the scene for security (which we frown on, but if it’s necessary then it’s necessary), that the one bedroom door is closed because there’s a large dog in there so don’t open it. If there’s anything else I want to know I’ll ask, but usually then they leave me alone to do my thing. Hope that helps!

What IQ do you need to do this job minimum?

Asked by David over 6 years ago

As absolutely no agency I've ever heard of requires an IQ test for hire, I would have no idea.

Do you think Jeffrey epstein Killed himself?

Asked by Karma over 6 years ago

I don’t know any more about it than you do.