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Investigative Internships

High Tech Crime Unit Badge

High Tech Crime Unit

Since 2021 select students in the School of Criminology & Security Studies have been processing digital forensic evidence for local police agencies in hundreds of cases.  This evidence has been used in several different types of felony investigations, ranging from crimes against children to homicide cases.  While these cases were originally limited to agencies here in Vigo County, a significant grant through the state has established this unit as one of ten High Tech Crime Units in Indiana.  As a result, these investigators now process digital evidence for cases from eight different counties in the Wabash Valley: Vigo, Clay, Putnam, Parke, Vermillion, Sullivan, Fountain, and Hendricks.

The state grant also makes this the only paid internship among our four investigative units. These students are sworn investigators through the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office, and gain both certifications and investigative experience that have proven invaluable upon graduation, when they have entered the job market.

 

jail intelligence unit patch

Jail Intelligence Unit

Since 2022 select students in the School of Criminology & Security Studies have been collecting and analyzing jail intelligence, contributing valuable evidence to dozens.  With very few exceptions, this unit is dedicated to felony investigations in Vigo County, and has assisted detectives with the Terre Haute Police Department, the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Indiana State University Police Department. These investigations have encompassed a wide variety of felony cases, and have included several homicide investigations.  Feedback from local agencies and from the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office on the quality of work done within this unit has been extremely positive.

Although these students are not sworn investigators, they do sign non-disclosure agreements and conduct their investigative work in a secure facility.  Students must interview successfully for this unit, and must maintain a 3.5 GPA to remain in the unit.  This is an unpaid, but highly-rewarding internship.  And with very few exceptions, experience in the Jail Intelligence Unit is required before students will be considered for either the High Tech Crime Unit or the Cold Case Homicide Unit.

cold case unit patch

Cold Case Homicide Unit

Since 2023 a very select number of students in the School of Criminology & Security Studies have been collaborating with detectives from the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office on specific cold case homicide investigations.  A new homicide case is chosen each semester, and these students focus on creating a digital case file from old documents through the use of ocular recognition software.  They also meet with case detectives every two weeks during the semester, until concluding their efforts with a completed digital case file and a full presentation of the case to both detectives and local prosecutors.

These students are sworn investigators through the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office, and must maintain a 3.5 GPA to remain in the unit.  This is an unpaid, but highly-rewarding internship.  It is limited to only four students per semester, and each student is limited to two semesters in the unit, in order to provide this unique investigative experience to as many as possible.

 

human trafficking unit patch

Human Trafficking & Intelligence Unit

Since 2023 select students in the School of Criminology & Security Studies have been using open source intelligence to investigate instances of human trafficking. This unit was originally made possible by a grant from Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), which funded both computer equipment and lab space.  In addition to human tracking, this unit has also provided intelligence and support to deputy prosecutors prior to voir dire in major trials.

Much like those students working in the Jail Intelligence Unit, these students are not sworn investigators, but also sign non-disclosure agreements and conduct their investigative work in a secure facility.  Students must interview successfully for this unit, and must maintain a 3.5 GPA to remain in the unit.  Also like the JIU, this unit is a stepping stone for those interested in either the High Tech Crime Unit or the Cold Case Homicide Unit.