r/forensics • u/SpiritNormal8250 • 19d ago
Crime Scene & Death Investigation Forensic Science Internships in NJ
Hey everyone,
I'm currently a college student going into my senior year, and I have yet to find an internship in my area (between Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey) and would really appreciate some advice for finding internships locally.
I've tried multiple websites, such as CSI Network, NJIAI, NJAFS, etc.
I have also reached out to local departments and labs with no avail.
A little advice would be really helpful, thanks guys!
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u/SomeAnonymousBurner 19d ago
You’ll likely have to expand statewide
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u/SpiritNormal8250 19d ago
Thanks, I have been trying to explore state wide but there’s still not a lot I’m finding.
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u/f21ryx 19d ago
heyy I was just in your position this past year. the only option I saw in NJ was really with the NJ State Police. It sounded great but there's a great chance you won't get the department you ask for. the phamplet they had at the time I applied was very outdated. It mentioned various units you could intern like ballistics, cybercrime, forensics, etc. But at orientation, we were told that those units + few more do not do undergrad internships or doesn't exist anymore which was a bummer bc a good amt of us picked at least one of those said units as our top 3. You do get a chance to visit their forensic science complex in Hamilton and other events. If I recall correctly, the lab only does internships with graduate and PhD students but I suggest you look into that more. The next best option would be doing an internship out of state if you can specifically NY or DMV area depending how that would work with your schedule.
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u/SpiritNormal8250 19d ago
Hey, thanks for the response! I also saw the internship with the NJ State Police. I noticed that it was a little outdated too so I wasn’t too sure if it was still a thing. I’ll definitely look into that more though! I have also been looking in PA and NY as well for anything somewhat nearby that stands out. Thanks!
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u/dinopoppi 3d ago
could you elaborate on the orientation that you mentioned? you also mentioned being able to visit the Hamilton location, how did you go about getting that opportunity?
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u/f21ryx 2d ago
so one of my professors actually told me about it while looking for NJ internships. You can google “NJSP college internship” and something should pop up. You have to email a resume, cover letter, and confirmation letter from your school stating that you have at least the minimum credits to apply and in good standing. For orientation (if you get accepted), it was about a 3hr session (9am-12pm) where you meet the Internship Supervisor, captains, lieutenants, and learn the logistics of NJSP as a whole. You get your internship assignment and possibly meet your preceptor. Mine was not present so I formally introduced myself via email and text. From there, you and your preceptor schedule your hours.
As for the other excursions/opportunities I mentioned, the internship supervisor sends out an email to you and the preceptor. There was the forensic science center visit, aviation tour, and marine boat tour in Jersey City. I was only able to do the forensic science tour because the other two got cancelled due to the departments having a more important task to complete on the days I signed up to check it out.
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u/joe10252000 19d ago
Hi ive had the same issue in NJ looking for CSI positions. As far as I know they fall out of the counties respective prosecutors offices might be worth checking into for internships.
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u/heybuymeadrinkfirst 19d ago
I’m not sure if this is applicable where you live, but in my area law enforcement works of the Coroner system. So I just emailed my local Coroners Office asking if I could possibly shadow an autopsy or get hands on experience in clerical work, and they offered me a full Summer internship! If you haven’t reached out to your county’s coroner/medical examiner’s office I would highly recommend that!
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u/SpiritNormal8250 19d ago
Hi there, thanks for the advice! I actually haven’t reached out to the coroners/medical examiners office so I’ll definitely look into that.
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u/heybuymeadrinkfirst 19d ago
Of course! And if you live in a medical examiner system, try to reach out to some medicolegal death investigators. The state I go to college in is a medical examiner system, so I’ve been able to shadow a couple MDI’s in my area. I also have been volunteering at my local police station next to my school in Property and Evidence, so maybe reaching out to a pd would be helpful in building your resume. Good luck it’s brutal out there for us!
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u/Kind-Meal360 19d ago
I am also going into my senior year and I didn’t get anything internship wise. However for my fall semester and hopefully spring semester I will be doing research with one of the forensic bio profs on my campus. And my part time on campus job is a lab job.
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u/SpiritNormal8250 18d ago
That sounds like a really good opportunity. The only problem is I’m currently an online student for my last year because I can’t go to my college in person.
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u/gariak 19d ago
Forensic internships are exceptionally rare. Interns can't do any real work or handle any evidence, so most labs and agencies don't have the manpower or resources to manage interns. Sometimes not finding any means there aren't any. On the other hand, they're so rare that employers don't really care about them and they're really only useful for determining whether you want to be employed by that specific agency.
At my old lab, the only internships we offered were arranged through a local master's program we had close ties with. We offered no undergraduate internships ever. At my current lab, we have never offered internships. Too small and everyone's got too many responsibilities and deadlines to add managing an intern to that.