As a self-proclaimed NCIS fanatic, TU senior Ashley Rathbun has known for years that a career in the forensic sciences is the right choice for her. The show sparked an early interest in all things related to death investigation – one that only grew during her time spent as a forensic science major. Fortunately for Ashley, a recent hands-on experience has done nothing to discourage her from pursuing a job in this field.
Ashley spent ten weeks this summer interning with the Franklin County Coroners’ Office (FCCO), floating between its many offices and departments through their forensic rotation program in order to get a feel for how its many parts operate.
She spent a few weeks at each site, starting in the case management department and ending her residency under the supervision of Erika Wrigley, Supervisor of Morgue Operations. As her ultimate goal is to be a morgue technician, Ashley was especially excited to get some experience working directly with decedents to solve the mysteries of their deaths.
“The employees were very friendly,” remarked Ashley. “Especially when it came to my interest in trying new things. They were always willing explain to the ins and outs of certain functions if I asked, even if they didn’t directly relate to my internship. In addition, they were so nice and accommodating while doing so. Overall, everyone I’ve encountered has been a pleasure to work with.”
According to Ashley, while working in the morgue was her favorite part of the experience, she found great value in observing the FCCO’s other offices, as the organization does much more than examine bodies. From case management, file and photo archiving to collaborating with funeral homes and grieving families, she feels her interpersonal communication skills grew throughout the ten weeks.
“Growing up, I always knew I wanted to help people in some way,” said Ashley. “Though, I think I knew serving the community in a conventional sense wasn’t the right choice. While this is definitely unconventional and not for everyone, I feel fulfilled by it – providing answers for families of the deceased in order to give them closure and peace of mind.”
Oddly enough, it was ultimately the University’s ongoing professional relationship with the FCCO that afforded Ashley the opportunity to be a summer intern.
“I’ve been a guest lecturer for several of Dr. Schupp’s forensics classes these last few years,” offered Erika. “Though I didn’t attend TU for my own schooling, I’m continually impressed by his and the school’s dedication to experiential learning and drawing upon the expertise of industry professionals to help teach students.”
According to Erika, Ashley has stood out among many of her other college interns due to her eager-to-learn demeanor and desire to exceed the position’s basic requirements.
“Everything that can be said of Ashley can also be said for the TU students I’ve taught as a visiting lecturer,” Erika explained. “Ashley and the other students in her program are more driven than most other college students with whom I’ve worked, and I think much of that can be attributed to the culture at Tiffin. The small class sizes and rigorous training beforehand makes it so that I only work with those who are serious about pursuing a career in this industry. The ones who aren’t the right fit for my line of work usually realize it long before I meet them, which is another benefit to TU’s experiential learning curriculum.”
To learn more about Tiffin University’s forensic science program, visit tiffin.edu/academics/school-of-science-tech-health/forensic-science.