Wisconsin Department of Justice Constructs Forensic Sciences Lab

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) is creating a new $115.5 million facility for the Milwaukee Crime Lab in partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin to drive discovery, innovation, and education in the forensic sciences. Replacing the existing complex, the 73,188-gsf project will include 64,802 gsf of shared space that will also accommodate operations for the Division of Forensic Sciences. The center will also offer training spaces, offices, and a parking garage.

The crime lab is part of the $226 million Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility, a four-story, 217,150-gsf development housing Milwaukee County’s emergency services and the Medical Examiner’s Office, as well as Versiti Blood Research. A two-story volume anchored within the complex will offer a venue for collaboration and staff emotional support. Design efforts were orchestrated by HGA Architects, SmithGroup, Continuum Architects + Planners, and Crime Lab Design. 

The leading-edge structure will support various departments, such as Toxicology, Crime Scene Processing Firearms, Trace, Latent Prints & AFIX, and DNA & CODIS. The colocation of various forensic entities will enhance numerous synergies, optimizing lab performance through resource sharing and improving the investigation of combined and preserved evidence. Integrating multiple agencies will increase efficiency and effectiveness in addressing pressing social concerns like the opioid epidemic, and ensuring coordinated responses to mass fatality or catastrophe scenarios. The facility’s strategic location on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus will enable research and training opportunities with healthcare affiliates.

C.D. Smith Construction is serving as the developer and design-build contractor. The project team also includes Summit Smith Development and Royal Capital Group. Ground was broken in November of 2023 and occupancy is expected in May of 2026.