San Bernardino County officials and law enforcement partners broke ground today for the new Sheriff’s Crime Lab building at 200 South Lena Road in San Bernardino.
In June 2007, the Board of Supervisors allocated $25 million for the construction of a new crime lab. Several studies were done, along with a needs assessment. Between 2009 and 2012 the department evaluated several options, from remodeling the existing building to building a new one. In 2013, the department selected LPA Inc. to design the new 20,000 square foot laboratory annex. The new building will cost $17 million and will be located west of the current 35,000 square foot crime lab building.
In September 2014, AMG & Associates Inc. was awarded the contract for the new construction.
The following units will be moving into the new crime lab:
- Controlled Substance Unit: One supervisor and up to 10 criminalists; three more than current staff.
- Crime Scene Investigation: One supervisor and up to six crime scene investigators and clerical employees; five more than the current staff.
- Firearms/Toolmarks Unit: One supervisor, up to five criminalists and two techs; two more than prior.
- Forensic Alcohol Unit: One supervisor and three criminalists; adding one additional criminalist.
The new building will house a narcotics lab, indoor vehicle processing area, indoor shooting tank, indoor 40-yard shooting range and a combined breath and blood alcohol testing lab.