2026 Fall Internship / SSB / FSD / Grand Rapids Laboratory

Davenport University
Davenport University

Grand Rapids, MI, USA

Posted on Jul 13, 2026

Job Description

Internship Start Date: September 2026

A semester-long internship with the Grand Rapids Forensic Laboratory will offer exposure to multiple disciplines of forensic science. The program will expose students to evidence handling, chain of custody, and the specific functions of each discipline to demonstrate how those processes aid in criminal investigations. This program will be without monetary inducement and for academic class credit in accordance with LOM 1.13 (Interns and Volunteers). It will be the responsibility of the internship candidate to ensure that they receive academic credit for their experience.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) is a full-service policing agency with statewide jurisdiction, providing over 60 different services either directly to Michigan residents or in support of other law enforcement agencies. The MSP personnel most visible to the public are the uniform troopers whose primary responsibilities include traffic enforcement, crime prevention and investigation, and community engagement and service.

Required Education and Experience

At the time of internship, must be currently enrolled in a undergraduate or graduate program.

Additional Requirements and Information

Candidates for the internship program at the Grand Rapids Laboratory will meet the following requirements:

  • College junior or senior with a degree track in a natural or physical science. (Criminal Justice students are not eligible unless pursuing additional studies in a natural or physical science)
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Citizen of the United States at the time of application (International students with a valid student visa are also eligible to apply)
  • Has a valid operator’s or chauffeur’s license without restrictions (except corrective lenses)
  • Does not have a history of criminal convictions or excessive civil infraction violations
  • Ability to pass a controlled substances screening
  • Has completed the Hepatitis B vaccination series by the start of the program
  • Ability to pass a fingerprint check
  • Ability to comply with a confidentiality agreement

The Laboratory Director will designate an Internship Coordinator to be the point of contact for all prospective candidates. This laboratory employee will oversee the entirety of the program from candidate selection through capstone completion. The coordinator will manage all required forms, application materials, follow-up correspondence, acceptance requirements, and scheduling. Any questions regarding the program throughout the internship process shall be directed to the Internship Coordinator.

Application Process:

Interested candidates who meet the aforementioned requirements should initiate the application process the semester prior to the semester they wish to participate in the internship program. The number of candidates selected per semester may vary and is contingent upon the capabilities and staffing of the laboratory at that time.

  1. Interested candidates can initiate the application process by locating the appropriate job posting at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan. Candidates should contact the Grand Rapids Forensic Laboratory directly if they experience any difficulty locating a posting.
    1. Fall Semester Application Period: early June – mid July
    2. Winter/Spring Semester Application Period: early October – mid November
  2. The candidate shall submit their application via NEOGOV and ensure it contains the following completed forms and necessary materials. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
    1. CJIS-008 – Background Check Request
    2. PD-039 (Application for Internship)
    3. PD-037 (Agreement for Provision of Unpaid Student Services to the Michigan)
    4. FSD-034 - Forensic Laboratory Internship Program Screening Form
    5. Cover Letter
    6. Resume
    7. Letter of Reference (from a college faculty member)
  3. All application materials will be reviewed by the Internship Coordinator. Candidates who are selected to proceed beyond the initial screening process will be contacted to schedule a formal interview with a panel of laboratory staff.
    1. Dependent upon the volume of candidates, additional screening interviews (via phone or Microsoft Teams) may be conducted prior to formal interviews.
  4. All candidates who take place in an interview will be notified of their selection status. If selected to participate in the program, acceptance is contingent upon the ability to pass a background check and controlled substances screening.

The supplemental questions shall be used in conjunction with the , and PD-037 (Agreement for Provision of Unpaid Student Services to the Michigan Department of State Police). All students applying for an internship program with the MSP Forensic Science Division shall answer all provided questions and attach/submit the completed PD-039 and PD-037, a resume, and a signed cover letter to the Internship posting you are interested in pursuing.

Please have references send their correspondence directly via email to Ms. Ashleigh Vogel, Laboratory Director, vogela@michigan.gov or by mail to the Grand Rapids Forensic Laboratory, Atten: Ashleigh Vogel, 2290 4 Mile Rd. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544.

Discipline Observation Objectives:

  • Provide a detailed overview of the laboratory analyses conducted by the discipline.
  • Introduce all members of the discipline and discuss their role(s) within the unit.
  • Discuss applicable safety considerations of the discipline.
  • Demonstrate examples of the various analyses conducted within the discipline through casework observations and/or mock examples.
  • Review previous cases that demonstrate how the specific type of forensic evidence has aided investigations.
  • Explain and demonstrate the use of databases, where applicable.


Internship Program Schedule:

The order of forensic disciplines is subject to change based on staff availability and scheduling. The weeks dedicated to Evidence Receiving and the Case Capstone Project/Presentation will remain consistent with the above proposed schedule. A finalized schedule will be determined by the Internship Coordinator (in collaboration with the Unit Supervisors) and provided to the intern(s) at the start of the program.

Week 1 – Evidence Receiving / Laboratory Orientation / Laboratory Safety and Security
Week 2 – Crime Scene Response Team Exercises
Week 3 – Trace Evidence Unit Observations
Week 4 – Controlled Substances Unit Observations
Week 5 – Firearms and Toolmarks Unit Observations
Week 6 – Body Fluid identification Unit Observations
Week 7 – DNA Unit Observations
Week 8 – Latent Print Unit Observations
Week 9 – Case Capstone Project / Mock Interview Practice
Week 10 – Case Capstone Presentation / Feedback Survey The academic schedule of the selected candidates will be taken into consideration when determining the internship schedule. Candidates can expect to dedicate 8-12 hours per week to the program.


Case Capstone Presentation:

Guidelines will be provided to each intern regarding a final Case Capstone Presentation that will be critiqued by a panel of laboratory staff. The presentation will summarize either a case study or active research within the field of forensic science. The intern will summarize the topic and discuss potential implications within the various units of the Grand Rapids Forensic Laboratory and/or the field of forensic science as a whole. The observing panel will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback at the conclusion of the presentation.


Official Transcripts:

As part of the application process, please upload an unofficial or official copy as an attachment. If offered an internship opportunity with the State of Michigan an official copy will be requested.

The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.



Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the ADA coordinator (Download PDF reader) for the agency that posted this position vacancy.

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