Credit: Calcasieu Parish
The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, along with other parish and city officials, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday for the new Calcasieu Parish Forensic Center at 722 Dora St. in Lake Charles.
The 26,000-square-foot, $15.4 million facility will house the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab. Work on the facility began in October of 2022.
The Coroner’s Office section will feature multiple autopsy suites, tissue recovery suites, evidence storage, X-ray room, and a sally port – a secured controlled entryway – 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. The facility will also have adjoining conference space and family meeting rooms, and ample office space.
It is the Police Jury’s responsibility to provide facilities for various parish officials and functions, including the Coroner’s Office. Combining the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Crime Lab and the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office will provide continuity of operation because the two work closely to ensure proper chain of custody of evidence and through investigatory services.
“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,” said Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Facility Management Director Dean Kelly. “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.”
“Today is an important day as we open the new Calcasieu Parish Forensic Center, home to the Sheriff's Office Crime Lab and the Calcasieu Parish Coroner,” said Police Jury President Anthony Bartie. “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.”
Project contractor is Alfred Palma Construction. Architect is David Moss of Moss Architects.
Republished courtesy of Calcasieu Parish