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

About 6 mos ago i lived w people who want to steal my dna to get a rape conviction and sue me for 2.6 million. Can forensic stuff tell that my nail was shed 6 mos ago,not now?

Asked by Samuel waller over 7 years ago

No.

Hello! I am currently in high school and am having trouble deciding what career in forensics would be the best for me. I know I do not want something overly involved with legal aspects. However, I definitely need on-hand, interactive work. Any ideas?

Asked by kthakur almost 8 years ago

Most any job in forensics is hands-on, either lab work or field work or both, and legalities are usually the responsibility of the officers, who are trained in such, and the attorneys. So I don’t think you’ll have a problem. Best of luck!

On a lot of TV shows, it's often said that water washed away dna evidence (ejaculate). Is it not possible for some to be left deep inside vagina? (Assuming there is ejaculate). Isn't it like taking a bath; water can't really get into vagina?

Asked by Leandra almost 8 years ago

Sorry, but I really don't know. You'd have to ask a pathologist. I imagine it might depend on how long after death the person was in the water.

how do you advance what made you want to become this
what kind of personality is recommended
how many years of school
how hard is it to find a job

Asked by a student about 8 years ago

I'm not trying to be snobby, but first of all it would be very important that you can communicate in English, with proper punctuation.

I wanted to know what was the best degree to get for a forensic biologist? I"m getting mixed answers. Do I pursue and undergrad in forensic science and then master in biology or would a 4-year biology degree work?

Asked by Jackie almost 8 years ago

Sorry it took me so long, I was out of town at a conference. But I really don’t know for sure—it’s up to the hiring lab, what they want. I would think a 4 year in Biology with as many Forensic classes as you can get would be best, but a better way to guess would be to call all the labs you’re considering and ask them.Best of luck!

I need help with my major for being Forensic Science Technician. I was wondering if I could take Criminal Justice for my Associate at a Community College and then Transfer to a four year university and get my bachelors in biology or chemistry for FST

Asked by Kyerra Lenard over 7 years ago

Hi, sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. Again, titles and job requirements aren't uniform, so the only way to know is to call the crime labs in your area or whereever you might be interested in working and ask them. You can also go on the websites for professional organizations such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and check out their job vacancy postings and see what the various positions require. Good luck.

When making a identity from a fire do you make it by random teeth found or teeth in jaw bone? Or how do you determine that?

Asked by Cybill over 7 years ago

Hi Cybill, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I believe that they can use the inside of a tooth for DNA analysis, but of course if the tooth is loose they may not be able to determine which body it came from if there's more than one. I expect a dentist would need the teeth still in the jaw to compare with dental x-rays in order to make a comparison that way, but it may all depend on what work, if any, has been done to the tooth and how distinctive that work is. I'm not a DNA analyst (any more) or a dentist so I'm not 100% sure.