Justice Minister officially opens new £13.9 million forensic science laboratory

Justice Minister, David Ford formally opened the new £13.9 million Forensic Laboratory, “The Locard Building” at Seapark today.

Justice Minister, David Ford formally opened the new £13.9million Forensic Laboratory, The Locard Building at Seapark today.

The new facility, named after the father of forensic science, Edmond Locard, provides state of the art facilities to deliver high quality forensic science services to the criminal justice system.  During the visit children from Acorn Integrated Primary School in Carrickfergus joined the Minister in working through a mock crime scene using forensic techniques. 

David Ford said:  “When I became Minister of Justice in April 2010 I made it a priority to ensure that Northern Ireland had the best and most modern facilities to move with advances and keep us at the forefront of forensic science.  Today is the culmination of a number of years work in developing and designing this laboratory. 

“My Department has invested £13.9 million in this state of the art facility, which is, quite rightly, recognised nationally and internationally as one of the best. This building provides forensic facilities which set the standard for the avoidance of contamination; a crucial element of “trace” forensic evidence, where minute levels of substances and materials are recovered, identified and interpreted.  This is particularly important for today’s ultra-sensitive forensic techniques.

“The laboratory has been built to ensure optimum throughput and efficiency.  Together with a new IT system which will come on line later this year,  productivity will increase and turnaround times will improve, ultimately speeding up the time it takes to bring cases to court, and supporting my policy of Faster, Fairer Justice.”

Commenting on the mock crime scene exercise which the P7 pupils participated in the Minister said:  “The importance of encouraging young people to study and enjoy STEM subjects has never been greater.  I saw the formal opening of this building as an excellent and fun opportunity to demonstrate the interesting jobs awaiting these young people if they take an interest in science.  This has been a really fascinating morning both for me and for the children who have seen first-hand how forensic examinations work. I really hope that it encourages these young people to think strongly about STEM subjects as they move into post primary education”.

Stan Brown, Chief Executive of FSNI commented on the environmental attributes of the building.  He said:  “This new facility has been built to BREEAM Excellent standards, a recognised measure of a building's environmental performance.  The building meets the very latest in sustainability and renewal standards, utilising rainwater harvesting, solar power and a combined heat and power unit for energy, heat capture and air management functions.   Even the carpark is environmentally friendly, utilising porous tarmac and a sustainable urban drainage system that means there is no need for drains or underground pipes.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The building of the new forensic laboratory is part of a wider Transformation Programme which has been ongoing within FSNI for the past three years encompassing the building of the laboratory, the introduction of a new IT system, delivery of business improvement projects across the Agency and the introduction of DNA 17 a more sensitive and robust DNA profiling system.  FSNI was the first forensic science laboratory in the UK to deliver DNA 17.
2. The building has been built to recognised environmental standards. BREEAM is the standard which was created as a cost-effective means of bringing sustainable value to development. It helps investors, developers, design and construction teams and occupiers to use natural resources more efficiently.
3. The new facility has been visited by the Forensic Science Regulator and other forensic providers in GB and Ireland who have recognised the laboratory as setting the standard, nationally and internationally.
4. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office on 028 90526444.  Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 0769 971 5440 and your call will be returned. 

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