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

Should we be able to use torture on suspects during interrogations?!

Asked by Dan over 4 years ago

How does that question relate to forensics?

Is it ever weird cutting into and doing pretty nasty things to a dead person?

Asked by Jason about 5 years ago

I do not work at a coroner’s/medical examiner so I don’t cut anyone. At a crime scene I might examine the eyes or test the limbs for rigor or look for injuries but that’ s about it.

What level math do you actually need and use?

Asked by Elizabeth G. over 4 years ago

It depends on what you want to do. I've always used only basic addition, division etc., for calculating reagents. Accident reconstruction would probably require a bit more and maybe DNA analysis, but I don't really know. Best of luck!

Why in regards to these riots do some police not do anything and let them tear things up? ANTIFA is now a terrorist organization SO WHY JUST SIT THERE AND DO NOTHING?!

Asked by Tina about 5 years ago

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

Have you ever did something bad, mean, or inappropriate to a dead body? What is your standard of morals and ethics?

Asked by Dolby about 5 years ago

Quite the contrary, I find myself apologizing to them if I bump into their gurney. They’re dead. How could I not feel sorry for them?Both my department and the various forensic organizations of which I am a member have published codes of ethics to which I have always adhered.

Hi Lisa. If you had to test residue on an object, and might suspect if to be sodium hypochlorite/bleach residue, what kind of field test could confirm it. Would it be a simple chlorine strip test?

Asked by Arin almost 5 years ago

I’m sorry but I have absolutely no idea. I have never worked in toxicology. Though my coworker did have to research testing for bleach in one of our cases, I will ask her when I get back to work next week.

If a dad commits suicide while his son is in the passenger seat, is the manner of death for the son considered as homicide? or accident?

Asked by Ritchelle over 4 years ago

If the father caused the death of the son, then it's homicide. If he didn't know the son was there, it's accident (or maybe manslaughter, I don't know the precise legalities).