Internship Overview

The Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory (LSPCL) provides unpaid, academically oriented internships for baccalaureate- and graduate-level students with career aspirations in the forensic sciences. Interns will gain experience and training by working in an LSPCL forensic discipline. Internships typically run for an academic semester, such as Spring, Summer, or Fall. LSPCL internships offer an opportunity to work in a large, full-service forensic laboratory, allowing participants to network in a professional environment, explore career options, gain knowledge and skills that complement their academic studies, and build resumes. Interns will not perform independent casework on evidence.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
• Applicants must be current college or university undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing a degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, or a related natural science field. Criminal Justice and Psychology degrees do not qualify.
• Applicants must be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Applicants must be able to commit to a minimum of 40 contact hours per week over 8 weeks in the summer or 20 contact hours per week over 15 weeks during the fall and spring semesters. Contact hours must be performed at the LSPCL in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from Monday-Friday between the hours of 7am and 5pm.
• Applicants must pass a security background check, polygraph, and drug screen
• Preference will be given to students who are at least at a junior undergraduate level, who have strong academic and/or community service achievements, and who are highly motivated and interested in a career in forensic science

Application Deadlines

Term                      Application Deadline                              Approx. Dates of Internship

Summer               March 15th of that year                              June 1st – July 30^th

Fall                          June 1st of that year                                mid-August – December 1^st

Spring                October 15th of prior year                        mid-January – May 1st

Application Process Initiation

Qualified candidates must submit the following information to the LSP Crime Lab:

• Louisiana State Police Crime Lab Internship Program Application Form
• A brief narrative essay describing your interest, objective, or motive for participating in the internship program
• An official college transcript

NOTICE: Submitting the above three items only initiates the application process. Background and Polygraph Forms will be forwarded after if the application meets all requirements. (These must be submitted by the deadlines above.)

Individuals are selected for internships by Crime Lab management following a review of all required application documentation, background check results, polygraph results, and drug screen results. Selections are made based on the best-qualified candidates as determined by lab management.

Form

LSP Crime Lab Internship Application