Summer 2026 TBI Crime Lab Internship

Internship

"This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position."

Background:

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Crime Laboratory is the state's official forensic science agency. It provides scientific support to law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system throughout Tennessee.

Responsibilities:

1. As an intern, you contribute to the TBI's mission of Truth. Bravery and Integrity. Even though you're in a learning role, your accuracy, attention to detail, and professionalism help ensure that forensic results are reliable, which directly supports fair investigations and prosecutions.
2. Interns often assist with administrative and technical tasks, such as maintaining supplies, data entry, preparing reagents, or supporting instrument maintenance. These efforts free up forensic scientists to focus on casework, improving the lab's efficiency.
3. Interns bring new energy, curiosity, and recent academic knowledge. Asking good questions and observing how theory applies to real-world forensic work can lead to small process improvements or fresh insights for the team.
4. Integrity is central to the TBI's work. Modeling ethical behavior, respecting confidentiality, and following protocols reinforce the lab's culture of trust and scientific credibility.
5. Every intern is a potential future forensic scientist. By learning TBI's standards, culture, and protocols early, you help sustain the agency's excellence and continuity you're investing in the next generation of forensic expertise.

Job Overview:

1. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Forensic Services Division is seeking science majors with an interest in exploring opportunities in the forensic science field. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on scientific testing while assisting professional forensic scientists in the disciplines of Latent Prints, Microanalysis, Breath Alcohol Calibration, Toxicology, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Biology/CODIS, and/or Firearms.
2. In recent years, positions in the field of Forensic Science have become extremely competitive. Internship positions offer recipients the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a Forensic Services Laboratory.
3. Most work will be conducted within the laboratory. Interns must be willing to work four or five 7.5 hr. days/week for the eight-week program

Qualifications:

• Must be a college Junior or Senior majoring in a natural or physical science, forensic science, or other forensic related field. Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• In addition to the State internship prerequisites, successful candidates will also meet the following requirements:
• Be is at least 18 years old;
• Recommendation letters from faculty members of the science department;
• Must have completed a minimum of eighteen semester hours in Chemistry;
• Must pass extensive background check

Preferred Academic Year:

Junior or Senior undergrad

Internship

Pursuant to the State of Tennessees Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the States policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that persons race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veterans status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.