The investigative assistant internship allows the interns to
work their own cases (larceny, harassment, assault and battery, threats, etc.)
while deciding what course of action is needed and performing a follow-up
investigation of that case. The interns will contact witnesses and
victims via phone, and interview them appropriately. They may need to
contact businesses or other establishments, and ask for surveillance videos, or
customer entry logs, etc. The interns are expected to have excellent note
taking skills, and are required to document every action taken during this
investigative process. Once all leads have been exhausted, the intern
will type up a formal supplement report, and present any evidence and their
original case notes to the assigned detective. The assigned detective
will then decide if there is enough information/evidence to proceed
criminally. This will be the primary function of the intern during their
time with us.
Additionally, the intern will have the ability to go on
numerous “field trips” throughout the semester, including Baltimore’s Office of
the Chief Medical Examiner, the gun range, K9 and SWAT training, a jail tour, ridealongs,
and the driving track.
Once an intern has proven him/herself as reliable, and has
earned the trust and respect of the detectives, they will be asked to perform
other tasks as well. These tasks include listening to jail calls and
visits as well as assisting on other violent crimes cases. Furthermore, the
intern may have the opportunity to accompany detectives to an actual crime scene.
The deadline for the Fall Term is July 1,
Spring Term is October 1, and Summer Term is March 1.
There is a 20-hour
per week minimum requirement. During
the intern’s first few weeks of training, they work under the supervision of
the intern coordinator. After the intern
coordinator is comfortable that the intern can work independently, he/she may
set their own schedule. The detectives
work between 6 am and 11 pm, however interns are not required to work those
hours. Interns are not permitted to work on weekends.
We take on between 3 - 8 students per semester and give
preference to graduate students in criminal justice, law, or forensic related
fields. We do consider undergraduate
seniors in criminal justice programs on a case by case basis. We do not consider applicants who have
already graduated.
This internship exposes the interns to sensitive information
so the application process requires numerous steps. First, applicants submit their applications,
essays, resumes, school IDs, and transcripts.
All applications are reviewed at one time after the deadline. If selected, an interview is scheduled.
Once all interviews are complete, a decision is made as to which applicants
will proceed to the background stage of the process. If selected, a
background packet is sent to the applicant. The applicant then fills out
the background packet, and returns it to our department. A background
investigation is then conducted, and if the applicant passes, a polygraph is
scheduled. If the applicant passes the polygraph exam, they may then be
offered a position within our internship program.
Contact: Intern Coordinator | 703-228-4337 | POLInterns@arlingtonva.us