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

CN you really find anyone like in NCIS?

Asked by May almost 6 years ago

Nope!

Take LAW AND ORDER SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT. What are things that they promote that are false and what things do they not really show that is real. I know like y’all don’t work on one case at a time I honestly think it would be more entertaining if they did it sorta more realistic where their working on multiple cases

Asked by DANNCY almost 6 years ago

I don't watch the show, so I couldn't comment. But fiction is meant to be entertaining, and it's usually more satisfying to focus on one story at a time.

What do you think about the BLM?

Asked by Kaylee over 5 years ago

I think I am an expert in some areas of forensic science. I am not an expert in law, public safety policy or our political system.

What has been discovered or invented by you or other people who work in the field of forensics?
What is something I could tell my class and teachers that would surprise them about forensics?

Asked by Ella about 5 years ago

"Touch" DNA or "Contact DNA" can obtain a profile from an item that someone merely touched: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_DNA

I would say Rapid DNA, which can provide a profile in less than two hours and used in the battlefield, but that's been around since 2014.

And though you've seen it on TV every day for 50 years, it has not been possible for the average latent print examiner to scan in a fingerprint and search every person who's ever been fingerprinted, including job applicants and military. Most databases would be just county or state wide, and may or may not include job applicants (or staff) depending on the preferences of the agency, and certainly not the military, ICE or Interpol. At my department we only got the ability to remotely search the FBI database last year.

Hope that helps!

What did you major in and where? Also did you have a minor?

Asked by Ramen over 5 years ago

I have a bachelor’s degree in biology from Cleveland State University. I didn’t have a minor.

When you started work in forensics did your job train you or were you having to rely on what you learned in college?

Asked by jsk789 over 5 years ago

They didn’t have forensics degrees when I went to school, so learned all the forensic tasks were on the job or continuing education courses. But the science background helps with understanding lab procedures, preparing reagents, and of course explaining what’s going on during the various processes.

How reliable are drug tests? The ones that turn colors. I seen where a dude had doughnut glaze on the ground and it tested positive (no thats not a joke lol).

Asked by Darren about 5 years ago

I'm sorry but I've never worked in toxicology, so I've never tested drugs with any kind of test.

Sorry I can't help!