Internship Programs

OME offers a one-year medicolegal investigative internship program open to college juniors, seniors, or graduate students pursuing a degree in a related field, as well as non-students with a prior 4-year related degree or other experience.

Interns will assist the investigator with caseload to include gathering information to determine cause and manner of death, helping identify decedents, helping to locate and notify next of kin, and documenting death scenes. Upon completion of the internship, interns are eligible for certification as a Death Investigator through the Colorado Coroner’s Association.

Interns are required to work 16 hours a week, typically in two, eight-hour days. Degree-seeking interns must have G.P.A of 3.0, be at least 18 years of age, and pass a background check.

Under the guidance of a supervising investigator, interns have the opportunity to:

• Conduct investigations to ascertain the cause, manner, and circumstances of a death.
• Determine investigative technique, scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
• Locate the next of kin by contacting designated representatives, treatment agencies, family members, and other interested parties.
• Research and verify decedent identity.
• Verify the cause of death listed on death certificates to determine the need for further investigation.
• Perform various administrative tasks such as daily telephone interaction, email inbox management, and miscellaneous needs as they arise.

Additionally, upon completion of the internship program, interns are eligible for certification as a Death Investigator through the Colorado Coroner’s Association. Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to investigationsinternship@denvergov.org.

Schedules & Deadlines:

Spring/Summer

• Application period: February 1-28
• Interview/Shadow dates: March 1-15

Fall/Winter

• Application period: September 1-30
• Interview/Shadow dates: October 1-15

OME trains candidates in a module-based curriculum that teaches many of the duties of forensic autopsy technicians, including evisceration techniques and various disciplines that make up the medicolegal forensic investigation along with assisting forensic pathologists with postmortem exams.

Interns are required to work at least two 8-hour days a week (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Minimum qualifications include a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, at least a junior, and pursuing a career in medicine orforensic sciences. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and pass a background check.

Interns are involved in all aspects of morgue operations. Under the guidance of forensic autopsy technicians and the medical examiners, interns will:

• Work closely with forensic pathologists and autopsy technicians during postmortem examinations
• Learn evisceration techniques
• Gain exposure to various manners and causes of death
• Assist with specimen/evidence/property collection and handling
• Learn fingerprinting techniques through several media
• Aid with all daily operations of the morgue

This internship can be extremely physical and require individuals to stand for long periods of time. Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and transcripts (unofficial accepted) to autopsyinternship@denvergov.org.  Within your email, please state if you are applying as a volunteer or for academic credit. 

Schedules and Deadlines

*Applications submitted outside of the application period will not be considered*

Spring Term: January 1 – April 30

• Spring Application Period: November 1 – 7
• Spring Shadow Dates: November 14 –30

Summer Term: May 1 – August 31

• Summer Application Period: March 1 – 7
• Summer Shadow Dates: March 14 –31

Fall Term: September 1 – December 31

• Fall Application Period: July 1 – July 7
• Fall Shadow Dates: July 14 – 31

FAST interns and volunteers offer emotional support and practical assistance to those who have experienced an unexplained, violent, or suspicious death of a loved one.  Interns and volunteers also work with investigators, administrative staff, and medical examiners to collect and enter data into a case management system.