The Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS) is centered upon an outdoor facility focused on research, teaching, and service regarding the decomposition of human remains. Construction of the state-of-the-art building began in 2012. The first human donation was received in 2013 and at the end of 2017, there were over 60 human donations, approximately 20 of which were in the donated human skeleton collection.
Interns are the backbone of FIRS and assist in most aspects of running the facility. They assist in body placement, maceration, labeling skeletal remains, data collection, photography, and maintaining databases related to the FIRS materials. They may also complete individual research projects. Interns are registered for a formal course, FOAN499, for 1 to 6 credits.
Non-CMU Students
Students from other institutions may enroll at CMU as non-degree seeking students and then enroll in FOAN499. Students will be expected to reside in the Grand Junction area for the duration of the internship and will need transportation. Anthropology or forensic science students will be given preference. Students are required to (1) have a minimum 2.8 GPA, (2) submit a letter of reference from their advisor, and (3) be in their junior or senior year, (4) and never convicted of a felony. Download the registration application and send it to Dr. Connor.
The application packet will consist of (1) a cover letter explaining why this internship is of interest (2) the application form, and (3) the letter of reference.
Deadlines for application:
Summer semester: Submit no earlier than Jan 15 and no later than Mar 15.
Fall semester: Submit no later than July 15
Spring semester:submit no later than October 15
https://www.coloradomesa.edu/forensic-investigation-research-station/interns.html