The opening of Victoria Police’s $14.5 million forensic science centre in the La Trobe University precinct last week hails a new era for the organisation’s high-tech investigative arm.
In the past few years the old facility has been plagued by reports of overcrowding, evidence contamination and corruption.
Chief commissioner Ken Lay and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Kim Wells, opened the McCallum Building last Tuesday. Beside them was the family of Dr Norman McCallum, for whom the building was named.
Dr McCallum, a former Victoria Police member and leading chemist and forensic scientist, conducted award-winning research on alcohol in the blood, which led to the introduction of the breathalyser in Victoria in 1969.
Mr Wells said the new centre was about science meeting the law. “This is about forensics assisting Victoria Police on the frontline to be able to detect and solve cases.”
The state-of-the-art facility will house more than 150 staff, including biologists, chemists, researchers and support staff who will move across from the old building. The new facility includes laboratories for integrated evidence recovery, DNA analysis, and research and development, and a blood spatter room.
However, forensic services director Karl Kent dismissed suggestions staff would now work in CSI-style conditions. “I’m always anxious about references to CSI because I keep getting pressure to resolve cases within a 50-minute timeframe, remain attractive while doing so and work mostly in the dark,” he said with a laugh.
