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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

989 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

Best Rated

Hello what do different colors flags mean? You know those little flags that stick in the ground? What does pink, yellow, green, multicolored, white, etc mean?

Asked by Barney almost 5 years ago

I have no idea--are you referring to utility companies marking gas lines, etc? My agency has some flags but we haven't used them recently. I suspect if an agency uses different colored flags it might be some internal coding that they use. Sorry I can't be more help.

Since, you are in the forensics field. Do you know anything about forensic toxicologists? If so can you elaborate on what you know about this field?

Asked by GunKillerOdin about 4 years ago

Unfortunately, no, I cannot. I've never worked in toxicology. Sorry I couldn't help.

What do you think is the minimum age for becoming a Forensic Scientist? Since it’s not (mostly) a sworn position can someone under 21 become one? What about under 18?

Asked by Samuel almost 5 years ago

That entirely depends on the requirements of the hiring agency. Since they’d probably require advanced schooling so hirees would wind up being older. It also might have to do with liability if the person would need to drive agency vehicles, etc.

What are some advancements from a forensic scientist?

Asked by GunKillerOdin about 4 years ago

I’m not sure what you mean. Do you mean how does a forensic scientist advance in their career, or what scientific advancements have been made by forensic scientists?

Another question is it true that there is no such thing as totally useless evidence? How much useless information has to be sifted through? I am sure this is more of a detective proble but I’m sure you have to deal with it too right?

Asked by Bobbie-Sue almost 5 years ago

Yes, unlike what you see on television, evidence doesn’t necessarily ‘prove’ anything. It all depends on circumstances. If the victim’s blood is on the suspect’s shirt and he says he never met her, that’s vital evidence. If he found the body and tried to revive her, then it likely means nothing. Or bloodstains might tell me the victim was stabbed six inches away from the wall, but that doesn’t tell me who stabbed him. But if the perpetrator is caught and describes what happened, the bloodstains might corroborate or disprove his story. I hope that helps.

Hello Lisa, what is the dumbest case you ever worked?

Asked by Steven over 4 years ago

Nothing's really 'dumb' since every case involves, a minimum, property loss or inconvenience. Criminals can be dumb...the best example I can think of was when a bunch of boys broke the glass in a door to get into a jewelry store, couldn't find much to take, then were hightailing it out of there as the alarm rang and one was trying to climb back out the broken window and not having much luck when his buddy barreled through the other door simply by pushing the push bar on it. The video was hilarious.

Hey? Do you like your job? Kind of a test question I got a bigger one comming

Asked by Claire almost 5 years ago

Like any job it has its tedious moments, but yes I like it.