BROWARD COUNTY, FL- Commissioners will discuss a
proposed plan to build a state-of-the-art forensic science center in Fort
Lauderdale. The 177,000 square foot building will include Broward County
Medical Examiner and Trauma Services, the Broward Sheriff's Office Crime Laboratory, a Fort Lauderdale Police
Sub-Station, and training and community rooms. The total cost of the project at this time is
estimated at $210.6 million.
The BSO Crime Lab is necessary to provide all public law
enforcement agencies in Broward County with scientific analysis of physical
evidence to assist in solving crimes. It's made up of forensic scientists/technicians,
evidence technicians, crime scene detectives, and administrators who work
together to solve crimes.
The Broward County Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma
Services (OMETS) works under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner to perform
postmortem and toxicology services and facilitates a leadership environment for
EMS agencies and trauma hospitals. OMETS
is made up of forensic pathologists, photographers, toxicologists, investigators,
administrators, and trauma care specialists.
Currently, the BSO Crime Lab is located inside the Broward
County Court House. The Broward Medical
Examiner's Office is located at 5301 31st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.
One proposed area for the new Forensic Science Center is on a vacant parcel of
land next to the Atlantic Technical College Arthur Ashe Jr. campus on NW19th
Street and NW 20th Avenue, just west of I-95.
"Community benefits are planned once this building is completed. OMETS has made a commitment to this area to provide educational opportunities and technical programs, university programs, and community response team meetings. We're also planning on street improvements to beautify the neighborhood and new economic opportunities for students and skilled workers," said Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness.
The Forensic Science Center Discussion is scheduled for
tomorrow at the October 19th Commission meeting, Agenda Item
57. The Commission meeting begins at
10AM, at the Broward Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave, Room 422, Fort
Lauderdale. ID must be provided and
masks are mandatory.
If you would like to register to speak over the telephone (Agenda Item # 57) here is the link: Government Meetings (broward.org)
Oct. 18, 2021
Media Contact:
Kimberly Maroe
954-661-2231
kmaroe@broward.org