The KBI Forensic Science Laboratory Internship Program offers competitive, paid internships to qualified undergraduate and graduate students. The goals of the program are to both further the mission of the laboratory and to enhance the education and career development of the interns. The internship may be a part of the intern's academic program requirements or the intern's independent career-building initiative. Priority will be given to candidates working towards a degree relevant to the field.

Interns will gain experience in an accredited forensic science laboratory and contribute to the field through research and/or validation projects. The various benefits of an internship at the KBI Forensic Science Laboratory include:

• Learning relevant methods practiced in the forensic science disciplines
• Contributing to the work performed by the forensic science laboratory
• Networking with KBI forensic scientists and law enforcement professionals
• Participating in a meaningful career-related experience
• Exploring various forensic science disciplines and future career options
• Increasing post-graduate marketability

The KBI Forensic Science Laboratory has four locations throughout Kansas. Not all disciplines are represented at each of the laboratory locations. Depending on requests and laboratory resources, internships in specific disciplines may be fulfilled in one of the satellite laboratory locations. The number of internships, projects per discipline, and locations are limited and will fluctuate depending on availability.

	Topeka	Great Bend	Kansas City	Pittsburg
Biology/DNA or DNA Databank	Yes	As Available	No	n/a
Chemistry	Yes	As Available	n/a	As Available
Crime Scene Response	No	No	No	No
Digital Evidence	Yes	n/a	n/a	n/a
Firearms / Toolmarks	Yes	n/a	No	n/a
Latent Prints	Yes	n/a	n/a	n/a
Toxicology	Yes	n/a	n/a	n/a
Trace	Yes	n/a	n/a	n/a

Due to confidentiality concerns and the nature of the work, the KBI Forensic Science Laboratory does not offer crime scene response internships or arrangements consisting solely of shadowing laboratory personnel.

Interns must meet the following criteria:

• Upper level student (junior, senior, or graduate student) status at an accredited institution of higher education
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Enrolled during the semester student plans to intern
• Appropriate degree and section-specific requirements for the discipline

Download Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) pdf

Apply for Internship

The KBI Forensic Science Laboratory Internship Program provides opportunities throughout the year, depending on staffing and other resources. To ensure consideration, all applications should be submitted by the following deadlines. Late applications will not be accepted.

• Summer Internship: February 1
• Fall Internship: May 1
• Spring Internship: October 1

In order to be considered for participation in the program, the following items must be completed and submitted. Applications will not be considered complete until all documents have been received by the Internship Committee.

• Internship request
• Letter of interest
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Written recommendation letter from advisor and/or professor at institution
• University transcript(s) to reflect all college credit (see FAQ for more information)

Required forms and documents can be submitted to the KBI Forensic Science Laboratory Internship Committee at lab_internship@kbi.ks.gov.

After initial application reviews, applicants may be scheduled for an interview with a panel consisting of personnel from the discipline(s) for which the applicant has applied. Selected applicants will receive a conditional offer and proceed to the polygraph and background investigation process.

View Disqualifiers

Candidates who receive a conditional offer will also receive additional forms and a pre-employment background packet which must be completed and returned by a designated date. The background packet includes detailed residence history, work history, relatives, and any criminal or drug history.

While the KBI considers the circumstances in many areas regarding a candidate's background, there are disqualifiers that will preclude applicants from consideration.

If no concerns are noted in the background packet, the candidate will be scheduled for a polygraph. The polygraph may last approximately four hours and is designed to ensure the candidate has been truthful in their representation of their personal history.

If the candidate passes the polygraph, they will be scheduled for a background investigation. A special investigator will review all of the background material and talk to neighbors, current and prior employers, and others as necessary to determine that the candidate meets the background requirements of the KBI.

After successful completion of the background process, the candidate will receive a final offer for an internship position. A start date and schedule will be determined at that time. The candidate will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement prior to starting the internship.

Throughout the internship the following must be met:

• Intern will report to the selected discipline for, at minimum, 180 hours per semester. Schedule will be determined upon acceptance.
• Mentor will review performance regularly and provide feedback to the intern per a written assessment.
• Intern will keep a daily log of activities and provide a written assessment of the internship experience.
• Internship coordinator will review the activities and reports for all internships.
• One-on-one evaluations will be executed midway and at the completion of the internship.
• Intern will prepare a summary of the internship project in the form of a written report or presentation at the conclusion of the internship.

Additionally, the internship coordinator may ask for feedback from the participants to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the program.

For general questions about the internship program, please contact the internship committee at lab_internship@kbi.ks.gov.