BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana State Police have reached a major milestone on the construction of the new state crime lab, marking another step toward replacing a four-decade-old facility and improving the state’s forensic capabilities.
Officials announced that crews signed and placed the final structural beam on Tuesday, Dec. 2, symbolizing the completion of the building’s steel framework. The ceremonial moment reflects the steady progress made since the project broke ground in November 2023.
The current crime lab, which opened roughly 40 years ago, has long needed modernization. With the volume and complexity of evidence increasing, law enforcement leaders have emphasized that an updated lab is essential for solving crimes more efficiently and supporting investigators across the state.
Crime evidence processed at the Louisiana State Police crime lab is often key to solving cases and determining innocence or guilt. That reality, investigators noted, made the new facility a priority.
A social media statement from Louisiana State Police underscored the importance of this moment, saying, “This ceremonial milestone marks another step forward in building a modern, expanded laboratory that will support advanced forensic science, strengthen investigations across Louisiana, and serve our communities for decades to come.”
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When the project was announced, officials estimated the cost to be around $100 million, reflecting the scale of the investment needed to bring the state’s forensic infrastructure up to modern standards.
The new crime lab is expected to significantly expand forensic capacity, reduce evidence backlogs, and improve turnaround times for key testing categories such as DNA analysis, toxicology, ballistics, and digital forensics. The upgraded layout and technology will allow scientists to work more efficiently while creating room for future growth.
Leaders say the expansion will also bolster collaboration among law enforcement agencies statewide. With investigations often relying on rapid and accurate lab results, the updated facility is intended to give police departments, prosecutors, and victims’ families faster answers.
As construction continues, Louisiana State Police officials emphasize that the new lab is designed not just as a replacement but as a major leap forward in forensic capability and statewide public safety.
The facility is expected to open once full construction, outfitting, and staffing enhancements are complete, though a formal opening date has not yet been announced.
Originally reported by Michael Simoneaux in WAFB.
