The new 115,000 sq ft Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory stands as a benchmark for innovation and forensic excellence. Located at the main entrance of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections campus in Baton Rouge, this advanced facility replaces an aging, overcrowded lab, meeting the rising demand for forensic services while shaping the future of forensic science in Louisiana.
WHLC+CLD, the joint-venture team of WHLC Architecture and Crime Lab Design, led a seamless, collaborative process with the Louisiana State Police (LSP) to reimagine the space, meeting their current and future needs while embodying their commitment to innovation, integrity, and service.
The LSP Crime Lab unites specialized forensic units, cutting-edge equipment, and staff amenities in an expertly designed layout to expedite complex investigations. A double-height lobby leads to spacious training rooms & a mock courtroom. The facility includes secure dedicated crime lab units for: Evidence Receiving; Crime Scene Investigation & Print Processing; Firearms; NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network); Latent Prints; Forensic DNA; CODIS DNA; Seized Drugs; Toxicology; and Ignitable Liquids & Impressions. Notable lab features include protected evidence storage, interior vehicle examination bays, an indoor firing range for ballistic analysis, and modern office spaces. Flexible work and gathering areas throughout the building foster collaboration and interaction to support staff recruitment and retention.
The two-story building features an exterior of aluminum composite metal panels, architectural precast concrete, and expansive curtainwall windows. Strategically placed perforated sunshades minimize glare while allowing warm daylight to fill the interior. This strong visual connection to nature, along with the secured outdoor gardens, supports staff physical and mental well-being without compromising evidence integrity, security, or workflow.
Dedicated to delivering the highest quality forensic services, the new Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory redefines forensic capabilities and strengthens Louisiana's ability to protect its citizens. The new LSP Crime Lab is designed to maintain all current accreditations. Per their website, ‘The Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory is currently accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to their testing accreditation program, which requires conformance to the ISO/IEC 17025 International Standards and any supplemental requirements, including the FBI's DNA Quality Assurance Standards (QAS). The Crime Lab is accredited in the forensic science testing disciplines of seized drugs, fire debris, impressions, biology (DNA), friction ridge (latent prints), toxicology, firearms and toolmarks, scene investigation (crime scene), bloodstain pattern analysis, and fracture match.’
