Department of Forensic Science, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Celebrate Ribbon Cutting of New Central Laboratory in Hanover County
June 8, 2026
Hanover County, Va. – On Monday, the Department of Forensic Science (DFS) and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new Central Laboratory, a state‑of‑the‑art, 281,425 square‑foot facility that will serve as the statewide headquarters for both agencies. The project represents the Commonwealth’s commitment to Virginia’s forensic and medicolegal infrastructure.
Located at 8850 Times Dispatch Blvd. in Mechanicsville, the facility marks a major milestone in a multi-year effort to modernize and increase capacity to meet growing caseloads and technological demands. The event drew state and local leaders, law enforcement partners, and other distinguished guests, underscoring the importance of the new laboratory to public health and public safety in the Commonwealth.
The new Central Laboratory replaces the long‑standing DFS/OCME facility in the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park in downtown Richmond, where both agencies have been co-located since 1998. As caseloads and staffing needs grew, DFS explored renovating and expanding the existing facility but determined expansion was not feasible.
With support from the General Assembly and in partnership with the Department of General Services (DGS), DFS and OCME began searching for a site that could meet immediate needs and support long‑term growth. In 2018, the Commonwealth purchased the 25‑acre Hanover County property, launching the planning and design process for a modern, flexible, and expandable facility. The central location offers easy access to major highways with ample on-site parking, key advantages that makes it well suited to support both agencies’ operations.
“As a former federal law enforcement officer, I know the importance of making sure the men and women who serve our communities have the tools and resources they need to keep Virginians safe,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “The work of the Department of Forensic Science and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is critical to investigating crimes across the Commonwealth and upholding the rule of law. I know this new facility will strengthen these efforts as we focus on the security and well-being of all Virginia families.”
The building’s design reflects the advanced scientific work inside. The exterior combines brick, metal paneling, and aluminum storefront and curtainwall systems, while a flat roof with parapets and integrated screens conceals most mechanical equipment. The central laboratory was designed and built to achieve a two Green Globes sustainability certification.
“DFS is grateful for the opportunity to work in this new state-of-the-art facility. We knew it would give DFS staff the technological capabilities needed to further advance the use of forensic science within the criminal justice system. As we moved in, we have also come to appreciate how the exceptional quality of the facility’s design—its use of natural light, thoughtful layout, and collaborative spaces—will support the well-being and productivity of our staff for decades to come,” stated Linda Jackson, Director, Department of Forensic Science.
DGS oversaw the design by nationally recognized architectural teams SFCS and MWL, which specialize in public safety and forensic science facilities and managed the construction of the facility by Skanska, a global leader in construction and development.
The four‑story building provides advanced laboratory and administrative spaces for both agencies, along with 12,000 square feet of shared training rooms and collaborative workspaces. It also introduces a range of programmatic enhancements.
DFS gains a large Faraday room for processing digital evidence; a centralized gas distribution system supported by a large liquid nitrogen tank that replaces the need for multiple nitrogen generators, reducing noise and operational costs; more conference rooms with updated audiovisual systems to support public meetings and communication across laboratories; and flexible office and laboratory spaces designed to adapt as technology evolves.
OCME’s dedicated areas were built to meet rising caseloads and incorporate advancements in modern medicolegal practices. The new central laboratory doubles the number of autopsy stations with upgraded tables and equipment, adds CT and Lodox radiology capabilities with displays at autopsy stations, and includes a special procedures autopsy suite with a separate observation room. Dedicated rooms support anthropology, neuropathology, and external examinations. These enhancements support the shared mission of both agencies and promote efficiency across their operations.
“This new facility represents much more than bricks and mortar. It reflects the Commonwealth’s investment in the vital work of medicolegal death investigation and in the people who carry out that work every day,” said Dr. William Gormley, Chief Medical Examiner.
The Central Laboratory project builds on more than 20 years of collaboration between DGS, DFS, and OCME, including renovation and construction of the Northern, Eastern and Western combined facilities. The Hanover County facility represents the next chapter in that partnership, providing the space that positions both agencies to grow, adapt and evolve as scientific methods and investigative technologies advance.
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