Forensic Science Institute

Category: Capstone Reflections

YWCA Practicum Reflection

Throughout my internship practicum at the YWCA, I learned a lot about an organization I had no clue about before. I learned the history, the mission and how its executed, and how I can be a part of it. The YWCA is an organization that provides services and resources to all people, regardless of economic status, race, or gender. I was exposed to SANE exams, SA advocacy, how law enforcement handles sexual assault/domestic violence cases, and how to provide assistance to clients after their traumatic event. This was a very fulfilling and eye-opening experience.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the YWCA. I felt like I got to directly jump in and make a difference in my community. I was able to experience and observe first-hand what I want to do with my career in the future, and I was also exposed to some disheartening flaws that our criminal justice system has. I hope to eventually be in a position that allows me to bring awareness to these issues, and if I’m lucky, actually make a change within our system. Although my internship has come to an end, I certainly do not see myself walking away from this organization. I plan to remain a volunteer sexual assault advocate indefinitely, and when my career allows, become a SANE nurse with this same organization.

Posted on August 9, 2023 by rwilliams73

Oklahoma Indigent Defense System Practicum Reflection

I will be recommending this practicum site to anyone who mentions being interested in law. It is a truly great feeling to know I am helping the OIDS team with a case in a meaningful way. I was able to put my hands on materials and go through documents just as a real investigator would. I wasn’t sitting in some corner of a room watching people work, I was actually doing the work. After my presentation with the team I was told many times how helpful my work was. It leaves a college student with no experience in the criminal field feeling like they actually helped make a difference. I know this of course is for school credit and to etch closer to graduation, but I love that the FSI gives us this chance. The chance to see the real world. The world that isn’t hypothetical scenarios and hypothetical crimes. It is a chance to see what life is like beyond UCO.

Posted on August 9, 2023 by rwilliams73

Bixby PD Practicum Reflection

This experience has been nothing short of extraordinary and I am beyond thankful to Chief Blish and the Bixby Police Department for welcoming me here and giving me such an amazing experience. It is one that I know will help me in my career starting now, on into the future. This practicum answered many of the questions I had and pushed back some of the fears I had regarding my career and what working in law enforcement looks like. It gave me the chance to experience the world of law enforcement from a completely different perspective. I am also grateful to UCO for pushing students to work with agencies, like these, because, otherwise, I would have never experienced things like I have during this practicum.

Posted on August 9, 2023 by rwilliams73

Oklahoma Department of Corrections Reflection

I was able to gain firsthand exposure to real-world investigations and the application of digital forensic techniques. While limited to due to policies, I was still able to gain manual experience for logging and receiving digital forensic cases. I would highly recommend any future digital forensics student at the University of Central Oklahoma to have the Oklahoma Department of Corrections as one of their top choices when applying for a practicum site. My experience from this opportunity has strengthened and created knowledge that will assist me in my future career.

Posted on August 9, 2023 by rwilliams73

UCO Office of Student Conduct/Title IX Practicum Reflection

I completed my Forensic Science practicum at the Offices of Student Conduct and Title IX at UCO. Title IX has an extensive history and immense importance for all educational institutions today and still has room and the need to grow. At UCO, Title IX’s policies are upheld by an office of staff who perform interviews and investigations, provide resources, and assign sanctions. As their Intern, I performed a variety of duties including note-taking, interviewing, and completing an individual semester project. This assignment provided me with life-skills such as professionalism and impartiality as well as giving me a better picture of what I would like to do with my Forensic Science degree in the future. I was gratified to realize during this practicum placing that I was actively using the information that I learned in classes like Criminal Procedures, Behavioral Aspects of Crime Scenes, and Forensic Psychology. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity and truly believe that I have gained skills that I will take into my career.

Posted on August 29, 2022 by rwilliams73

Shoals Field Wildlife Forensic Science Study Tour

This amazing whale photograph was taken by UCO undergraduate student Jackson Dunn, while viewing marine wildlife with UCO classmates and faculty from the deck of the University of New Hampshire Research Vessel (R/V) Gulf Challenger, during our recent Gulf of Maine travel course. Fin whales can attain a length of 80 feet and weigh in excess of 70 tons. UCO students and faculty explored oceanic wildlife in the Gulf of Maine during their participation in Field Wildlife Forensic Science 2022. The marine forensic science and wildlife conservation travel course is a semiannual, collaborative effort of the W. Roger Webb Forensic Science Institute, the UCO Department of Biology, the CMS Center for Wildlife Forensic Science and Conservation Studies, and the Shoals Marine Laboratory. UCO participants joined students and faculty from other academic institutions and government agencies and engaged in transformative marine biology field station and oceanic research vessel experiences. UCO faculty included Drs. Wayne Lord, Rhonda Williams, and Victoria Jackson.

Posted on August 16, 2022 by rwilliams73

Oklahoma City Police Department Crime Scene Practicum

“I am extremely thankful for the opportunity I was given to intern with OKCPD. I now know without a doubt that this is the job I was meant to do and it is something that I will be able to handle. It was a fear of mine that I wouldn’t be able to handle the death and sadness than can come with the job but because of the internship I know that I will be able to do it with the right mind set. I have gained experience throughout the course of this semester that will give me a much better standing when it comes time to apply for jobs.

The University of Central Oklahoma has changed the course of my life and I will forever be prideful to have attended this school. The Forensic Science program is one of the most prestigious in the country and I feel I have gotten to learn from some of the best in the game. I have built relationships with the people at OKPD and gained experience that I never imagined I would be able to while attending school. I have learned a great deal about ethics and techniques used while processing crime scenes and the grit that it takes to be successful in this line of work.”

Posted on August 12, 2022 by rwilliams73

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Practicum

“During my Practicum with Oklahoma State’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, I gained irreplaceable experience. The culture, attitudes, and passion for forensic pathology and investigation that is present within every individual at OCME truly embody the nature of compassion that should be presented with servicing decedents and their loved ones. Within OCME, there are numerous professions that merge to achieve the goal of establishing cause and manner of death while providing information and resources to the bereaved. As a student who is interested in investigative work, forensic pathology, and the study of grief, my time with OCME was emotionally fulfilling while allowing me to gain professional experience in each of these fields. The team of Medicolegal death investigators with whom I shadowed presented a complex understanding of a variety of subjects within law enforcement, forensics, and social work. As such, I had the ability to bring in knowledge that I have gained from my degree programs and apply such knowledge to their everyday duties. As a Practicum student, I was able to attend death scenes, assist and observe in the morgue during post-mortem examinations, listen to death calls while writing information on call sheets, and more. Although there is standard protocol in each of their responsibilities as death investigators, they exhibit an ability to adapt to the uniqueness present within every case.”

Posted on August 12, 2022 by rwilliams73

Practicum with the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System

“Overall, I think working with Oklahoma Indigent Defense System was a great opportunity as I got to apply myself, practice what I learned, and get a better in depth look into the defense system. I would definitely recommend this practicum to other students who are looking to learn more on the legal system.”

Posted on August 12, 2022 by rwilliams73

CARE Center Reflection

Practicum at the CARE Center

“I completed my practicum at the CARE Center this semester which is Oklahoma County’s Child Advocacy Center. At the center we offer forensic interviews, family advocacy meetings, mental health coordination, and education programs for both children and adults regarding body safety and reporting abuse. The forensic interviews were all different pertaining to the individual, the interviewer, the case, and any relevant issues pertaining to the case. While observing forensic interviews over the course of several months and completing online training programs, I began to understand the techniques and nuances that each interview requires. I was able to apply my education into the field and get a hands-on experience that helped guide me into the field of law enforcement.”

OSBI Drug Chemistry Unit Practicum

“The Practicum in Forensic Science requirement of my degree plan was fulfilled through interning in the Drug Chemistry Unit of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. During my time in the unit, I gained extensive experience in reading protocols, performing instrument maintenance, and observing the processing of case samples. I was able to apply the knowledge I learned throughout my undergraduate career and see the concepts put into action. Additionally, several of the analysts in the unit gave me career advice and told me stories of interesting cases they had seen to emphasize the importance of constant learning and observing. This experience was very much worthwhile and provided me with hands-on experience which will benefit me in both my academic and professional career.”

Analytical Research Laboratory Internship

“I was an intern for the research and development department at ARL Bio Pharma. ARL Bio Pharma performs analytical and microbiological testing for the pharmaceutical industry and is in downtown Oklahoma City, OK. During my time as an intern, I was able to utilize my knowledge and experience that I have obtained at the University of Central Oklahoma. I was also able to get a chance to work with laboratory analysts and laboratory technicians in a professional setting. I spent the majority of my time shadowing the laboratory technicians of the R&D department. I was trained on the tasks that are required of the laboratory technicians and I had an opportunity to learn what it takes to be a successful laboratory technician in the R&D department of ARL Bio Pharma. The experience was very rewarding. It was an awesome opportunity to be able to work in a laboratory and utilize my degree that I have been working hard to obtain. In addition to this I was able to be a part of a great and friendly work environment and I was able to meet kind and intelligent laboratory analysts and laboratory technicians. By the end of my internship, I was encouraged to apply for a position within the company.”

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Dr. Mark McCoy

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