Hitting the Roads: Ohio Forensic Science Student Interns With South Dakota Highway Patrol

With a love for puzzles, a knack for critical thinking and a fascination with true crime, Hannah Hempel from Hartland, Michigan, is a natural fit for a career in forensic science.  

Hempel, a senior at Cedarville University, is majoring in forensic science and rounding out her preparation for a job in law enforcement with minors in criminal justice and neuropsychology— a combination that helped her land internships with the Forensic Investigation Research Station and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.  

Following her sophomore year, Hempel worked as a forensic science intern for the Forensic Investigation Research Station, a body farm hosted by Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado. The experience allowed her to learn more about forensic anthropology by studying human decomposition and scientific applications of forensics at the body farm. She then participated in a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Collegiate Academy hosted by the Cincinnati FBI Field Office last spring where she learned about the inner workings of the FBI and its departments. 

Hempel’s time at the Forensic Investigation Research Station was academically valuable, but she wanted a more interactive look into the world of law enforcement. It was this desire that led her to the Mount Rushmore State. As a Highway Patrol intern based in Aberdeen, South Dakota, she was able to discover what a field in criminal justice is actually like.  

“It was a good opportunity to see day-to-day police work,” said Hempel. “It’s not always like it’s depicted on TV, so I wanted to experience what real life police work is like.” 

During the internship, Hempel experienced the routine life of an officer as it relates to time in patrol vehicles and filing reports, but she was also given the chance to be a part of some unusual opportunities. Hempel participated in SWAT team training and went with officers during some sessions on driver’s education.  

Hempel also aided in an aerial operation with police in Sioux Falls, helping track down suspects in a car chase from a Cessna plane.  

The internship also allowed Hempel to practice living in a new location and build new relationships — another valuable life experience.  

“It was helpful to see that even though they’re state troopers and police officers, they’re still just people. Seeing the comradery and the community they shared with one another was impactful,” said Hempel. “That community is something that drew me to pursue something in law enforcement.” 

Hempel noted how her rigorous course schedule prepared her to balance her time and develop the skills she needed during her internships. 

“The forensic science major does a good job of giving students a very wide variety of classes that gives you broad exposure to the various fields you can go into,” said Hempel. “It involves a mix of chemistry, physics, biology and criminal justice, preparing students for whatever path they take after their undergrad.” 

Cedarville University, a Baptist institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.