Note: All interns are required to send proof of vaccination (copy of card) with application or show proof of vaccination prior to internship start date.

Application Submission Period and Deadline

• Spring 2024 - October 1 - December 31, 2023
• Summer 2024 – December 31, 2023 - March 29, 2024
• Fall 2024 - April 2, 2024 - June 28, 2024
• Winter 2024 - July 1, 2024 - September 30, 2024

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's office is an accredited teaching facility (ACGME accredited) and thus providing educational learning experiences is a focus. CCMEO and the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory offers a number of unpaid internship opportunities throughout the year in the following areas:

• DNA
• Drug Chemistry
• Fingerprints
• Forensic Photography
• Investigation
• Toxicology
• Trace Evidence

General Information

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office and Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory has established an internship program which provides training in a number of forensic program areas with minor exposure to some of the other forensic disciplines. The program is ideally structured to meet the needs of Forensic Science majors that require an internship as part of their core curriculum or students wishing to pursue a career in Forensics. The program will provide students an opportunity to learn about a variety of technical and hands on practices in the field.

Description of Program

The goal of the program is to help prepare the intern for work outside of school, by performing duties under the supervision of an experienced expert. Ideally, after completing the internship, the student will be prepared to assume duties in a forensic setting after graduation, with little to no additional training. Some programs require students to have a forensic project during their internship. Every effort will be made to facilitate the completion of such a project.

Eligibility Requirements

• Hours: 16-40 hours, unpaid
• Length: dependent on institution, typically 400 hours or 10 weeks.
• Academic standing: Must be a junior, senior, or graduate student in good academic standing in an accredited academic program.
• Academic background: natural sciences (e.g. biology, chemistry, toxicology, biochemistry, etc.) or applied sciences (e.g., medical sciences, forensic science, etc.)
• Location: Preference given to Cuyahoga County residents or students of Cuyahoga County-based colleges and universities, but open to all.

Application Instructions

1. Visit the Cuyahoga County on-line application portal. Be sure to apply for the Forensic Intern position.
2. Create a profile to find current internship opportunities.
   • If you have already applied in the past year, you may send an updated resume, cover letter and recommendation letter for each additional semester you apply.
3. Send a resume and cover letter indicating specific area of interest. Include the department(s) you'd like to intern for on your cover letter. If you're interested in multiple departments, please rank them by preference.
   • Students applying for an internship will be required to provide a letter of recommendation from their program chair or advisor that supports your candidacy, confirms you are in good standing in their program, confirms you meet all other specified requirements for eligibility. Recommendation letters can be sent to hshannon@cuyahogacounty.gov.

All other correspondence should be addressed to:

Dr. Thomas P. Gilson
Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner c/o CCMEO Internships
11001 Cedar Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, but will generally close three months prior to the start of the next semester (March for summer, June for Fall and September for Winter).

For additional questions, please contact:
Hugh B. Shannon
Director of Operations
(216) 443-7173 (Office)
hshannon@cuyahogacounty.gov