The new Calcasieu Forensic Center combines forensic medicine and a crime laboratory

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and other parish officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Calcasieu Parish Forensic Center today, November 7th.

The 26,000-square-foot, $15.4 million facility, located at 722 Dora St. in Lake Charles, will house the Calcasieu Parish Coroner's Office and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Crime Laboratory.

Construction of the new facility began in October 2022 and includes:

• Multiple autopsy rooms
• Tissue restoration suites
• Preservation of evidence
• X-ray room
• Sally Port, a secured, controlled entrance for receiving operations

The facility will also feature adjacent conference rooms, family gathering rooms and spacious office space.

The township says the combination of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Crime Lab and the Calcasieu Parish Coroner's Office will ensure continuity of operations as the two work closely together to ensure proper chain of custody and investigative services.

“The Calcasieu Parish Coroner's Office and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Crime Lab will provide services not only to the parish, but to multiple communities in southwest Louisiana,” said Dean Kelly, Director of Facilities Management for the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. “Placing both offices in the same facility strengthens their communication and coordination skills. This new forensic center will be an important resource for all of 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 a facility with state-of-the-art technology, we increase our ability to serve and protect the community with care and accuracy no matter what.”

Stay tuned for a closer look at the new facility in later editions of 7News today.

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