LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — Colby Duvel was doing anything but fetching coffee in her recent internship. Instead, she focused almost 300 hours on helping a sheriff’s office process crime scenes, autopsies and evidence.
Duvel, who attends Concordia University in Nebraska, was recently recognized by Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith for completing her internship with the department, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.
Duvel spent about 275 hours with the crime lab staff, which also included ride-alongs with patrol deputies and various administrative tasks in the evidence lab.
Duvel will used her experience and hours with the LCSO to fulfill required credits toward her bachelor of science degree, according to the release.
Smith presented Duvel with a certificate of appreciation to acknowledge her hard work and dedication to the internship program.
“We are fortunate to have supervision and staff alike that support these students,” said Sgt. Brian Wangler, who oversees the crime lab. “The time they spend with us allows them insight and practical application they would never get solely from their classes. It also gives the student a good opportunity to solidify whether law enforcement or crime scene investigation is truly the career they want to choose prior to the completion of their formal education. Quite often it's an eye-opening experience for them."