Forensic Internships

Thank you for your interest in the CBI Forensic Services Internship Program. This page describes the internship program, application requirements, the application process, and provides answers to frequently asked questions. 

The CBI- FS internship program is only available for the summer and fall; we do not offer internship opportunities in the spring. The summer program runs from early June through August, with an intern’s last day dependent upon their availability and return to school. The fall program runs from September through November. Depending on the project and organizational needs, there may be an option for a summer intern to continue into the fall if desired.

Interns must work a minimum of 8 hours per week, and are not to exceed 40 hours per week. Interns must complete a minimum of 7 weeks. The schedule is relatively flexible (as long as hours worked are during normal business hours), and is coordinated with the intern’s project manager.

Internship opportunities may be available at one or more of our laboratory facilities within the state, which are located in Denver/Arvada, Greeley, Pueblo and Grand Junction. Applicants can specify the location(s) of their choice on their application. Please note, however, that prospective interns may be offered another location depending on the needs of our laboratory system. 

Internships may be available in one or more of our forensic disciplines during any given internship period. These include: Chemistry, Digital Media, Biology (DNA & Serology), Firearms, Footwear/Tire Tracks, Latent Prints, Quality, Toxicology, and Trace. Not all will be available during each internship period, and an intern’s duties may vary greatly depending upon the project and discipline to which they are assigned. We try to have our interns observe each discipline within their lab if possible, so they can get exposure to the different disciplines and types of exams conducted. 

This internship is unpaid. Out-of-state students are responsible for their own travel and housing accommodations.

Interns are not permitted to work remotely. All work must be performed within the laboratory facility to which they are assigned. Interns are expected to maintain confidentiality, follow appropriate safety protocols and CBI procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Crime Scene Investigation – We do not offer internship opportunities in crime scene investigation within CBI-FS, as that discipline falls under CBI’s Investigations section.

Out-of-State Students – We do accept out-of-state students. Please note that students are responsible for their own travel and housing accommodations throughout the internship program. This includes any portions of the background check that may need to be completed prior to starting the internship, such as the drug test and polygraph. 

Shadowing & Tours – Unfortunately, we do not allow shadowing or provide tours to the public. Shadowing and tours are a part of the internship program for those selected. 

Applicants must be enrolled as a student at an accredited college/university, be a recent graduate of an accredited college/university, or an individual seeking post-graduate experience in forensic science. 

Since this is a laboratory-based internship program, a hard science degree is preferred, although others will be considered. Hard science degrees include, but are not limited to, those such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics and forensic science. If you have a criminal justice or similar degree, you might consider CBI’s internships for Investigations and Support Services. You can find more information for these at the following link: https://publicsafety.colorado.gov/careers/internships

While we often host interns from the DOD SkillBridge program within CBI-FS, we do not handle the onboarding process. Please see the link below for more information and contact details regarding SkillBridge opportunities: 
https://publicsafety.colorado.gov/internships/cdps-skillbridge-internship-program

The application period OPENS OCTOBER 13, 2025. 

To apply for the CBI-FS Internship Program, you must complete the online application form (Google Form) below during the open application period. Applications for our Summer/Fall internships are open the prior October through mid-January. For example, the open application period for the Summer/Fall 2026 Internship Program will be from October 2025 to mid-January 2026. Please note the application deadline highlighted on this website when the application period is open.

In addition to the online application form, you must submit the following documentation via email to: cdps_cbi_laboratory_internships@state.co.us

• Cover Letter – The cover letter should outline your education, relevant laboratory experience, forensic disciplines in which you are interested and why, your preferred availability (June through August, September through November, or both), and the estimated number of hours you can commit each week (between 8 and 40 hours). If your institution has any requirements, such as a certain number of overall hours or a particular project topic, please specify these as well. (Please note that CBI-FS may not be able to accommodate certain projects depending on staffing, organizational needs and available instrumentation.)
• Resume or CV – Your resume/CV should outline your education, relevant laboratory and professional experience, leadership roles, etc.
• Copy of Unofficial Transcripts – Please ensure these are as recent as possible to show current and former coursework. If you have attended multiple institutions, please include transcripts from each.
• Letter of Recommendation – This letter must be from an academic or professional reference, such as a professor, department head, program advisor, supervisor, superior officer, etc. To reduce the likelihood of bias, we do not accept recommendation letters from personal references, such as family or friends.

Please note that each of the documents listed above must be received by CBI-FS prior to the application deadline for your application to be considered. The deadline is 11:59pm MST on the closing date. Please note that the online application form may close earlier that day, during business hours. Please ensure submission prior to the closing date to ensure everything is received. 

Application Process

As noted above, you must submit all required documentation by the deadline to be considered for the CBI-FS Internship Program. Once successfully submitted, you will receive an email confirming receipt of all required documentation. If your application is missing one or more of the required documents by the closing deadline, you will receive an email declining your application. 

Eligible applications are reviewed by a panel in the month following the closing date. Applicants are typically notified in February as to whether they have been selected to continue to the next step of the application process, which typically involves two rounds of virtual interviews.

Final selections are typically made and applicants notified in March. A conditional offer for final candidates to participate in the program is dependent upon successful completion of an extensive background investigation, which includes a drug test, fingerprints and a polygraph. Interns must also provide a DNA buccal swab once they have started their internship.

If you have questions regarding the CBI internship program, please email us at: cdps_cbi_laboratory_internships@state.co.us. We will try to answer your questions as soon as we can.