Internship Opportunities

Interns at the Institute’s Crime Laboratory have the opportunity to work in an ASCLD/Lab-International accredited laboratory learning best practices and analysis techniques from experienced forensic scientists. In addition to regular and daily work assignments, interns are assigned a research project to complete and present to the Institute’s staff at the end of the internship.

Crime Laboratory sections available for rotation are:

• Drug Chemistry
• Firearms Identification
• Forensic Genetics
• Forensic Toxicology
• Trace Evidence

Internship Requirements:

• Current enrollment in a post-secondary accredited academic institution
• A master’s degree in a Physical Science or matriculation in a graduate Forensic Science program is preferred. However, a very strong candidate with a bachelor’s degree or at least 90 semester hours in a Physical Science discipline may be considered.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
• Laboratory experience is preferred

An internship in Forensic Anthropology provides anthropology students with an introduction to Forensic Anthropology within a medical examiner’s setting, under the guidance of board-certified forensic anthropologists. The Forensic Anthropology Division has three main responsibilities: skeletal recovery, identification services and case consultations. Interns will gain hands-on experience in all these areas of responsibility. In addition to regular and daily work assignments, all interns are assigned a research project to complete and present to the Institute’s staff at the end of the internship.

Internship Requirement:

• Current enrollment in a graduate program at a post-secondary accredited academic institution

An internship in Forensic Entomology is intended for students with research and/or career interests in Applied Forensic Entomology. Interns receive an introduction to the investigative services offered by the Institute. They also gain experience with forensic entomology casework in a medical examiner’s office setting involving scene and autopsy insect collections under the supervision of a board-certified forensic entomologist. In addition to regular and daily work assignments, all interns are assigned a research project to complete and present to the Institute’s staff at the end of the internship.

Internship Requirement:

• Current enrollment in a graduate program at a post-secondary academic institution

The Forensic Imaging Internship Program provides photography students hands-on experience in the specialized field of Forensic Photography, including crime-scene, autopsy and evidence photography. In addition to regular and daily work assignments, all interns are assigned a research project to complete and present to the Institute’s staff at the end of the internship.

Internship Requirements:

• Current enrollment in a post-secondary accredited academic institution
• Photography major having successfully completed upper-level photography coursework
• Successful completion of an introductory course in Human Anatomy and/or Criminology is strongly recommended
• A photography portfolio demonstrating understanding of exposure, composition, lighting, and depth-of-field should accompany the submission of the Institute’s Internship Application

An internship in Forensic Investigations provides students exposure to forensic death investigations by taking an active role in the investigations processes. Under the direct supervision of a mentor, Investigations interns take death reports, assist the mentor/supervisor with scene investigation, obtain decedent and scene photographs, and complete investigative reports. Interns also gain experience triaging calls, assisting in identifying a decedent, locating and assisting with the notification of next of kin, and communicating with family, friends, law enforcement officers and hospital personnel. All interns work on an assigned research project during the internship and provide a presentation to IFS staff at the end of the program.

Internship Requirements:

• Current enrollment in a post-secondary accredited academic institution
• Junior-level or senior-level undergraduate student or graduate student majoring in pre-med, natural sciences, criminal justice, forensic science, physical anthropology, or a similar discipline

The forensic pathology internship provides interns with a comprehensive exposure to the death investigation process, from both medical and legal perspectives. Interns will learn key concepts such as establishing jurisdiction, cause, manner, and mechanism of death, as well as proper documentation of injuries and disease.Through observation, they will explore the roles of autopsy and death scene investigation for the objective of determining cause and manner of death and in cooperation between the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Medical Examiner Service, public health officials, clinicians, and law enforcement.In additional to attending daily meetings and regular discussions, interns will define key data for forensic pathology casework. All interns work on a forensic pathology focused project and provide a presentation to IFS staff at the end of the program.

Medical students and medical residents attending medical schools in the United States are not eligible to apply for the forensic pathology internship program. Medical schools must establish a formal affiliation agreement with HCIFS to allow medical students and medical residents to participate in the forensic pathology elective rotation. Medical students and medical residents attending medical schools outside of the United States must apply for observation only rotations through the HCIFS Observership Program. Please contact Jasmine.Jefferson@ifs.hctx.net for more information about the Observership Program.

Internship Minimum Requirements:

• Current enrollment in a post-secondary accredited academic institution
• Junior-level or senior-level undergraduate student or graduate student majoring in pre-medical degree tracks, forensic science, criminal justice, or other related degree path 
• Minimum 3.00 GPA

Internship opportunities in the Institute’s Histology Laboratory provide students with hands-on experience in a laboratory setting. Interns work under the supervision of certified Histology Technicians and learn a variety of histology techniques, including grossing, tissue embedding, microtomy, routine stains and special stains. In addition to regular and daily work assignments, all interns are assigned a project to complete and present to the Institute’s staff at the end of the internship.

Internship Requirements:

• Current enrollment in the Histologic Technician Program at Houston Community College or the Histotechnology Program at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• Recommendation Form completed by the school’s program professor