New forensics facility gives police the latest technology

Sault Ste Marie, ON – A new forensic identification unit has been opened by the Ontario Provincial Police. The 12,000-sq-ft, $5.6-million facility houses state-of-art laboratories and storage facilities.

The unit replaces an existing facility in the basement level of a multi-purpose building with a stand-alone building containing evidence processing rooms, equipment and administration facilities.

The building is constructed to containment level II building standards with containment level III HVAC. In addition, it has three biohazard suites, including a biohazard/chemical laboratory and a blood-splatter examination room, among other facilities

The new unit is part of a $50-million program to replace or upgrade such facilities to reflect new technological requirements, increased standards and keep pace with the demands of the justice sector.