Forensic Science Majors Intern at Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office Tuesday, December 6, 2016
L to R: Forensic science majors Leanna Brooks and Alex Pochiba
Senior forensic science majors Leanna Brooks from Central Valley High School in Center Township, Pa., and Alex Pochiba from McGuffey High School in Claysville, Pa., spent their fall semesters gaining hands-on experience at their internships with the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office.
"Leanna and Alex both landed prestigious, sought-after internships in the forensic science field," remarked Edward Strimlan, M.D., assistant professor and coordinator of the forensic science program at Point Park University.
In the profiles below, Brooks and Pochiba discussed why they applied for their internships, what they learned as interns, how their forensic science classes prepared them, their career goals and more.
Leanna Brooks
Autopsy/Investigations Intern
Majors: Forensic Science and Biological Sciences
"I have learned that the autopsy/investigation section of the Medical Examiner's Office here in Allegheny County is essentially responsible for determining the cause and manner of death. During my internship, I learned how to perform an autopsy and how to properly handle evidence by going to death scenes."
Alex Pochiba
Drug Chemistry Scientist Intern
Major: Forensic Science
Minors: Intelligence and National Security, Biology and Chemistry
"My internship with the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office is a dream. It is one of the main reasons I chose Point Park - because of the connections my advisor has with the office as well as its close vicinity to campus."
Photos by Olivia Ruk, senior mass communication major
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