The Vermont Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (VT-OCME) investigates death in Vermont according to 18 V.S.A. § 5205. Generally, this includes deaths unattended by a healthcare professional, sudden/unexpected deaths, or deaths for which there are concerns for contributory non-natural factors (such as violence, injury, or intoxication).
The VT-OCME is a state-wide medical examiner system which relies on approximately 50 medicolegal death investigators to investigate deaths on the local level. Cases requiring a postmortem examination are sent to the officewhich is located within the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. The VT-OCME investigates between two and three thousand deaths a year, approximately one third of which receive a postmortem examination by one of the office’s three forensic pathologists.
The VT-OCME internship program is a predominately forensic pathology focused shadowing experience designed to introduce interns to fundamental concepts in death investigation, anatomy, pathology, clinical medicine, and public health. The basic objective is for interns to develop a practical understanding of what happens to individuals following death. Interns will observe autopsies, discuss case information, learn fundamental concepts in the field through informal and didactic lectures, and be introduced to the technical, procedural and administrative aspects of death investigation. Interns will expand their basic understanding of medicine by integrating death investigation and medical histories with the anatomy, physiology, histology, and toxicology findings identified at autopsy. Interns will also become familiar with the use of death data in public health policymaking and may have the opportunity to observe depositions and trials. Although scene photography will be reviewed daily, interns should not expect to attend scene investigations personally. Exposure to other forensic disciplines (such as forensic anthropology) will be limited. Opportunities for additional research, typically in the form of retrospective case analysis, are available for highly motivated interns.
The OCME provides no pay or stipend for this internship and interns are responsible for all parking and/or transportation fees. Two approximately 12-week internship sessions are offered annually, the dates of which roughly follow the University of Vermont’s academic semesters. Applications will be reviewed in the spring for selection of the subsequent fall and spring semester interns. Interns will shadow at the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays during their session and are expected to be available at least from 8:30am - 12:00pm but are welcome to stay until the completion of the workload that day if their schedule allows. Confidentiality is of utmost importance; interns will be required to sign a waiver regarding confidentiality of patient information after they arrive. Interns will be required to wear office-provided respiratory protection (such as an N95) during autopsy observation.
The OCME Internship is a highly competitive position, as there are many applicants for only two placements per semester. Applicants in good academic standing whose educational background, extracurricular experiences, andeducational goals most closely match the office’s mission will make the strongest candidates. Application is open to all who meet the minimum requirements (below). Applicants meeting the minimal requirements and submitting complete applications before the deadline will be reviewed. Interviews will be offered to finalists.
Minimum Requirements:
- Current (or recent) enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student in good academic standing (preference is given to Junior and Senior undergraduate students).
- Enrollment (or a degree) with a major or minor related to biological sciences, health sciences, or forensic sciences.
- Completion of an undergraduate-level introductory Biology course (preference is given to applicants with demonstrated success in additional relevant course work suggesting background knowledge and interest such as courses in Physics, Chemistry, Molecular or Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Osteology, Biological Anthropology, Anatomy & Physiology, or Forensics)
Application Requirements:
- An essay describing your perception of forensic pathology as a profession, the reason for your interest, and how this opportunity fits into your current studies and career plans
- A copy of your CV
- A copy of your transcript (unofficial is sufficient)
- Letter of support from 1-2 advisors or faculty members at your university
- If you are planning to register with your university for credit for this internship, then please include any description of their requirements
- If you think you’ll have difficulty procuring any of the required materials, please contact the internship site supervisor (see below)
Application Deadline and Dates:
Applications will be accepted throughout the year and reviewed annually in the spring for selection of the subsequent fall and spring semester interns. All applications are due by March 1st.
Fall Semester Internship: (Sept.-Nov.)
Spring Semester Internship: (Feb.- May)