Internship Offerings

The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education offers internships at its location in Willow Grove, PA.  The internship program is designed to provide students and recent graduates with an opportunity to receive hands-on learning by performing mock casework and validation studies.  This includes experience working under chain of custody, data analysis, report writing and testimony.  This internship helps develop the laboratory, management and communication skills needed to prepare students for a career in forensic science.

Internship opportunities are available in three subject areas:

Forensic Biology

The biology internship allows students to analyze cases involving both serological and nuclear DNA testing.  Cases typically involve homicide, sexual assault, breaking and entering and kinship analysis, exposing students to the variety of cases they would be faced with in an actual forensic biology case-working laboratory.

Forensic Chemistry

The forensic chemistry internship involves casework requiring the testing of seized materials for the identification of controlled pills, powders and plant materials. The analysis of accelerants and explosive residues associated with arson and post-blast investigations are also performed.

Forensic Toxicology

The toxicology internship immerses students in multiple areas of toxicology including postmortem forensic toxicology, human performance toxicology and workplace drug testing. Postmortem forensic toxicology involves the use of state-of-the-art analytical techniques to identify and quantify the presence of drugs and chemicals in biological samples collected during autopsy to help establish causation of death.  Human performance toxicology involves determining the effects of drugs and alcohol on human behavior as related to criminal investigations including impaired driving, vehicular homicide and drug-facilitated sexual assault.  Workplace drug testing establishes compliance with regulations for drug testing individuals employed in safety sensitive industries.

Eligibility

A candidate must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program or have graduated from a natural or forensic science degree program within 12 months of beginning the internship.

General Information

Interns are expected to work between 20 and 40 hours a week during the internship period.  Internships are offered at various times throughout the year.  Interns may receive academic credit subject to developing an agreement between the Center and the intern’s college or university.  All interns are subject to applicable Center employee rules, including those regarding Laboratory Safety.

Application Procedures

Candidates must complete an application form and submit it with their school transcripts, cover letter, CV and references.  All application items must be submitted as a complete package.  Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Summer 2017 program (June 12th to August 18th):  Applications must be received by April 1, 2017.