Credit: Jason Halley/University Photographer
A long-awaited vision for a new Human Identification Laboratory (HIL) at California State University, Chico is starting to take shape, with a formal groundbreaking planned for Friday, November 14.
As the only full-time forensic anthropology laboratory in California and the largest lab west of Texas, the HIL has conducted over 638 investigations in 51 California counties in the last five years to serve dozens of local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, including the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), the U.S. Department of Defense, and the FBI.
The team has responded to natural and human-caused disasters, ranging from wildfires to the San Bruno Pipeline Explosion, tackled crimes and mysterious deaths, and provided training to law enforcement across the state. And they do it all with a team of just five forensic anthropologists, and about 20 graduate and undergraduate students who participate in a competitive internship process each semester.
Its 50-year-old laboratory is critically in need of a new facility in order to meet expanding demand for its services to recover missing persons, analyze and identify their bodies, present vital information to resolve criminal cases and provide closure to families. The 2023–24 state budget included a $3 million allocation to secure bonds that will fund the new facility, expected to cost more than $55 million.
On Friday, November 14, at 11 a.m., University leadership, the campus community, program alumni, and law enforcement partners will gather at the site at West Second and Cedar Streets for a groundbreaking celebration, with a short program and refreshments. All are welcome to attend.
“We are thrilled to open our new facility, a space that expands our capacity to serve families, train law enforcement, and educate future forensic anthropologists,” said HIL Director Ashley Kendell. “This facility strengthens our ability to respond in times of need and fosters collaboration, research, and outreach that benefit our community and state.”
The new 28,600-square-foot facility is at First and Cedar Streets in Chico, adjacent to the University’s primary campus, and will serve as headquarters for the HIL’s services. It will triple refrigeration units, significantly increase both state-of-the-art wet and dry lab space, feature isotope and DNA extraction labs and an archeology lab, and add more work stations for lab techs. It also will provide offices for faculty and graduate students, secure lockers and professional changing facilities, discrete arrival for transportation of human remains, better security systems, up-to-date natural lighting and improved ventilation. The building will be striving for LEED Silver certification.
The new HIL will also offer classroom space for Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) short courses, the Certificate in Forensic Science, the graduate program and other workshops and trainings, with space for more than 100 attendees. The HIL also has provided training to over 2,500 officers in both homicide courses and wildfire search and recovery training for search and rescue teams and coroners. Wildfire trainings are conducted with the curriculum and protocols they developed, and which were adopted by POST for use in its certified training program.
Officially supported by the CA Office of Emergency Services (OES), the HIL training program and protocol are included as continuing education for county personnel, law enforcement, coroners, medical examiners and emergency personnel involved in search and rescue efforts throughout the state.
Republished courtesy of Chico State