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.
I’m sorry but I can’t. That’s a question for a toxicologist. I don’t know anything about drug chemistry.
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Yes, certainly. I didn't manage to find the one piece of evidence that solved the whole thing, but I have worked on several. In my department a double homicide finally broke open after 30 years: https://www.news-press.com/story/news/crime/2020/10/01/joseph-zieler-suspect-two-cape-coral-homicides-seeks-dna-expert/3584935001/
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Because trials don't occur, especially for a homicide, for another year or two or three after the crime, when there's no longer a chance to go back and collect other evidence. Confessions can be recanted, videos are never as clear as they look on TV, and everything will be challenged during a trial. And the evidence can be twisted. I had a guy who confessed to three different people the night of the crime, and then a year later went to trial and pled not guilty.
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Any agency can use whatever requirements they want, so some (like mine) require only a high school diploma (but give extra points for advanced degrees, so we all have degrees). Some might require a Bachelor’s in any subject but give more points for forensic training—or not. The only way to know is check their job postings. Best of luck!
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Freelance Writer
Can a freelance writer live comfortably?
Navy Officer (Former)
Do you think there's a chance the US reinstates the draft?
Chick-fil-A General Manager
What's the back-story behind the cow mascot and eat-mor-chikin campaign?
I think it would absolutely help your chances. But all agencies might not be looking for the same things. I would check the websites for all the agencies you’re interested in to see their job postings.
Best of luck to you!
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I don’t know what you’re referring to.
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I don’t really know, but at the coroner’s office I worked at I was told that our coroner was actually the highest law enforcement officer, technically, in the county. She was the only person who could arrest the sheriff if necessary. That never became necessary though so I don’t know how it would actually work.
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