Forensic first

A new world-class forensic centre has been unveiled at the Coroners Court of Victoria at Kavanagh St in Southbank.

The $102.7 million extension of the State Coronial Services Centre provides cutting-edge facilities and a new centralised home for the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

The improvements will aid the institute with a refurbished mortuary, histopathology, toxicology and molecular laboratories, as well as a clinical forensic department.

Speaking at the unveiling, Attorney-General Rob Clark said the redevelopment was a major boost to forensic investigation in Victoria.

“This facility will be a centre for expertise in clinic forensic medicine, death investigation and tissue banking,” he said.

“This refurbishment provides an integrated facility where experts across forensic medicine and the justice system can share their knowledge.”

The major renovation also includes three new courtrooms, a remote witness room, counseling suites, as well as upgraded facilities for Victoria Police.

Construction of the new Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria centre is expected to be complete by the end of the year and will provide the most advanced facility in Australia for the recovery of body tissue for transplantation.