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

Recently, one of my daughter's friends was dosed with Visine eye drops presumed to be in her drink. Malicious activity? A date rape attempt? Is there a way to test for Visine in a drink, or in food?

Asked by Bill over 6 years ago

The perpetrator could be imitating a scene from the movie “Wedding Crashers” in which they put Visine in a man’s drink to give him diarrhea and vomiting. However Google tells me that’s not what it actually does, it can cause drowsiness and can be dangerous. So the motivation depends on whether the perpetrator knew what the actual effects would be or not.

As far as detecting it, it’s apparently in the imidazole family which includes histidines, so perhaps a chemical lab could detect it or some compenents of it. That would utilize thin layer chromatography and I don’t know how many labs actually do that any more—but I truly have no idea where or how or if a lab could test for it since I don’t have much of a background in chemistry, sorry!

Hope that helps.

RESPECTED SIR/MADAM , I AM A B.COM GRADUATE. CAN I JOIN B.SC FORENSIC SCIENCE WITHOUT A SCIENCE BACKGROUND, IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY, PLEASE SEND YOUR VALUABLE WORDS.

Asked by MUBEENA M I about 6 years ago

I’m sorry but I don’t know what b.com is. The best way to know is to contact your local crime labs and ask them what their requirements are.

Best of luck.

Can a body be in water and not have rigamortis?

Asked by Amanda Marsh over 6 years ago

As far as I know, water doesn’t change the process of rigor mortis. The temperature of the water may speed it up or slow it down, but the process would still occur.

if I can send you a picture can you please tell me the entrance wound or the exit wound from the pictures in your experience

Asked by Clu D Wright about 6 years ago

No, you would really need a pathologist for that. Generally, exits tend to be larger than entrances, but it depends on what someone is shot with and where. If the muzzle is very close or in contact with the body, then the entrance will likely be larger than the exit. if the bullet fragments inside, then there might be a small exit. So different factors can affect it. Best of luck to you.

what would i need to study to become a forensic pathologist?

Asked by esthers33741212 over 6 years ago

Medicine. Forensic pathologists are doctors and go to medical school. So I would suggest you take every science course you can, especially biological sciences. Best of luck to you!

How much school is need to become a forensic scientist, as well as what classes do you need to take?

Asked by Denisse Parada about 6 years ago

The job requirements are whatever the hiring agency says they are, so it could be anything from a high school diploma to a PhD in genetics. The only way to know is to call the department or check their website for job vacancies.

Do you watch Law and Order?

Asked by Jimmy almost 6 years ago

Not regularly, but I’ve caught many reruns over the years.