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

What Are the Disadvantages of Forensic Scientists?

Asked by dadsfasdf about 5 years ago

I don’t know what you mean by this. What is the disadvantage of working as a forensic scientist? Or what are the disadvantages of the existence of forensic scientists? Or what factors work against you when trying to obtain helpful information from evidence?

402 Votes

What would you suspect the average IQ of a criminal is? What are some of the dumbest and smartest you have dealt with?

Asked by Carlene almost 6 years ago

I don’t even know what my IQ is. It’s hard to judge stupidity, since most crimes seem really stupid if you look at the benefits versus the risks. And if the criminals were brilliant, ideally, they could keep anyone from knowing a crime was even committed. Most murders are not premeditated—an argument gets out of control, so suddenly the killer has to figure out what to do, this is a situation they didn’t expect, and they’re highly agitated, so they don’t do a great job of covering up. And then more intentional crimes, burglary, vehicle theft, drug dealing—well, if they were smart, they’d get into more lucrative lines of work.

402 Votes

So you wanna be a Forensic Scientist?

Check our Jobstr's career page for salary information, educational requirements, suggested reading and more!

Do you ever use a CB radio that the cops and dispatchers use?

Asked by Random almost 6 years ago

We used to, but only when we were at crime scenes, we wouldn’t have it on all the time when we are in the office. But somehow they went to new ones and we didn’t get any and have done without them since.

402 Votes

Sorry I meant badge number 100 as a example because they usually go by badge. Anyways sometimes they will call into base, dispatch, or station and I want to know the difference?

Asked by Nsnsns almost 6 years ago

At my agency we’d be calling either Dispatch or, less likely, another person, in which case we’d use their badge number. What people call their dispatch unit, base, station, (we call them the name of the city, the first word in ‘such and such police department) probably depends on the habits of that particular agency. In other words there is no difference. Hope that helps!

400 Votes

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Asked by sd almost 6 years ago

If you're trying to ask something, you need to be more specific.

399 Votes

Why are the questions on these pages so irrelevant and so many are repetitive as well as people just going on and on and on. Some people some how to way past the character limit. Sorry I know I’m kind of doing the same thing I’m just wondering

Asked by Paula over 5 years ago

I didn't know there was a character limit. But yes, many people write 'how can I become a forensic scientist' without ever checking past questions to see that that has been asked 20 times. And I think others are trying to goad me into saying something non-PC. Apparently too many people have too much time on their hands.

398 Votes

¿qo? ?no? ???l no? op

Asked by uu?W?W p???p over 5 years ago

Weird--that looks fine in my email but is distorted on this site.

397 Votes

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