Lake Charles, Louisiana - A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Thursday to mark the official opening of the Calcasieu Parish Forensic Center, a 26,000-square-foot facility that will house the Calcasieu Parish Coroner's Office and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Crime Lab. Located at 722 Dora St. in Lake Charles, the $15.4 million project began construction in October 2022.
The new facility is designed to provide a range of services, including autopsy suites, tissue recovery suites, evidence storage, an X-ray room, and a secure entryway, known as a sally port, for receiving operations. The Crime Lab section will feature modern lab suites for DNA, fingerprint, and toxicology testing, as well as evidence storage. A large lobby will be shared by both offices, and the facility will also include conference space, family meeting rooms, and ample office space.
According to Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Facility Management Director Dean Kelly, the new Forensic Center will provide continuity of operation and improve communication and coordination between the Coroner's Office and the Crime Lab. "The Calcasieu Parish Coroner's Office and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Crime Lab will not only provide services for the parish, but to several municipalities in Southwest Louisiana," Kelly said. "Having both offices housed in the same facility cements their communication and coordination abilities. This new Forensic Center will be a vital resource for all Southwest Louisiana."
The Police Jury President, Anthony Bartie, also praised the new facility, saying, "By bringing these teams together in one facility with the latest technology, we're increasing our ability to serve and protect the community with care and accuracy in every case."
The project was undertaken by the Police Jury, which is responsible for providing facilities for various parish officials and functions, including the Coroner's Office. The contractor for the project was Alfred Palma Construction, and the architect was David Moss of Moss Architects.