Department of Forensic Science (DFS) and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME)
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Interior Spaces
Interior spaces for DFS include:
This new construction project will enable the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Forensic Science and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to more efficiently provide critical services to the criminal justice syste m as well as promote public safety and public health.
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Coming Q1 2026
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Mobilization January 2023
Ground Breaking 03/02/23
Structure Complete Q4 2023
Final Inspections Q4 2025
Laboratory
This new construction project will enable the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Forensic Science and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to more efficiently provide critical services to the criminal justice system as well as promote public safety and public health.
Design
The project stakeholders strived for a design aesthetic that was modern and reflected the laboratory work that occurs within. The finished exterior strategy is a combination of brick, metal panel, and aluminum storefront and curtainwall. The building has a flat roof, with parapets and integrated equipment screens to conceal most of the rooftop mechanical equipment.
Partnerships within this project
Exterior Skin Complete Q3 2024
Location: Mechanicsville, VA
Targeting two Green Globes
The building: 281,425-SF
State-of-the-art construction
The building will function as laboratory space, training space, and office space for two independent agencies.
Watch the new Central Laboratory take shape
Construction Updates
Breath Alcohol
Controlled Substances
Digital and Multimedia Evidence
DNA Data Bank
Evidence Receiving
Firearms and Toolmarks
Forensic Biology
Forensic Training
Latent Prints and Impressions
Mitochondrial DNA
Toxicology
Trace Evidence
Statewide Administration
Instrument Laboratory
Biology Laboratory
Chemistry Laboratory
Autopsy
Interior spaces for the OCME include:
Anthropology
Autopsy Suite
Fatality Review Programs
Histology
Mass Disaster Response
Medicolegal Investigation
Radiological Services
For additional information on this project, please contact Deputy Director of Forensic Science, David Barron.
Questions about this project?
State Anatomical Program
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Points of Interest
Erosion and sediment control measure installation
Grading and earthwork
Groundbreaking Ceremony
APR 2023
MAR 2023
Concrete foundations south portion of the building
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing underground installations
Forming ballistic range concrete walls
CMU installation for Stairwell #4
Excavation for the North Stormwater Detention Basin
North portion of the building pad stoned and ready for foundations
Screening and hauling topsoil
CMU Installation for Stairwell #4
MAY 2023
APR 23
MAR 23
MAY 23
2023
2024
2025
Check back monthly for new video updates as the Central Laboratory takes shape.
MARCH 2023
APRIL 2023
JUN 23
JUN 2023
JUNE 2023
Department of Forensic Science Team Members
Department of General Services Team Member
Department Director
Linda Jackson
Deputy Director of Forensic Science
David A. Barron PhD
Project Manager– Special Projects
Mary Ann Petry
Lead Architect
SFCS Team Members
C. Dereck Aplin, AIA
Senior Project Manager
David A. Prevette, AIA
Principal
Brenda D. Landes, AIA, CID LEED AP
Lead Interior Designer
Christen L. Houser, NCIDQ, WELL AP, IIDA
Account Manager
Skanska Team Members
Mark Balling
Project Director
Matt Kidwell
Sr. Superintendent
Richard Conage
Project Executive
Mark Collins
Ronney Pope
Sr. MEP Project Manager
Cathy Howell
Superintendent
Alex Smith
Project Manager
Andy Tate
Sr. Project Engineer
Ashley Keane
EHS Manager
Craig Crockett
Field Administrator
Tyra Gore
Project Engineer
Alec Williams
VDC Manager
Seth Shaver
Regional Diversity Manager
Sheila Bowles
Read Article
Meet Sheila Bowles, Our Regional Diversity Manager on the DFS project
Department of Forensic Science, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Celebrate Groundbreaking of New Central Laboratory in Hanover County
Construction begins on new Central Laboratory to help criminal cases
Breaking ground in Virginia: Work is underway on the new Central Laboratory
Groundbreaking of New Central Laboratory in Hanover County
Her approach to supplier diversity includes regular site walks and honest conversations with firms about what they are doing well and where they can improve. She also researches and recruits the businesses to support our teams if we anticipate a potential deficiency in meeting goals. This grassroots approach helps Sheila find great subcontracting partners for projects, and if those firms lack the necessary certifications from Virginia, she walks them through the qualification process so they have better opportunities with us and other large contractors. Sheila also makes long-term investments in the SWaM firms we partner with, looking for opportunities to help them grow in their success. Men Power Labor LLC started out as a lower tier subcontractor on prior projects with us, but Sheila recognized that they had the potential to grow into a first-tier subcontractor. With her support, they transitioned to a prime subcontractor, and they are successfully completing work in that role on the DFS project. Sheila brings a genuine commitment to finding and helping diverse firms be successful. She understands “the only way to help people succeed is to get to know one another and build a relationship,” and she brings her personal touch to networking. Sheila goes above and beyond in her commitment to our SWaM partners because she wants “to put firms on better footing for success.”
Meet Sheila Bowles
Our Regional Diversity Manager on the DFS project
We are currently targeting 60.42% Small, Women-owned and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) participation on the DFS project through the efforts of our team and Regional Diversity Manager Sheila Bowles. Sheila tracks compliance for Skanska’s projects with a rigorous Commercially Useful Function (CUF) process, but she uses the compliance aspect of her job to build relationships and make sure SWaM firms we contract with have the support they need to be successful.
We are currently targeting 60.42% Small, Women-owned and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) participation on the DFS project through the efforts of our team and Regional Diversity Manager Sheila Bowles. Sheila tracks compliance for Skanska’s projects with a rigorous Commercially Useful Function (CUF) process, but she uses the compliance aspect of her job to build relationships and make sure SWaM firms we contract with have the support they need to be successful. Her approach to supplier diversity includes regular site walks and honest conversations with firms about what they are doing well and where they can improve. She also researches and recruits the businesses to support our teams if we anticipate a potential deficiency in meeting goals. This grassroots approach helps Sheila find great subcontracting partners for projects, and if those firms lack the necessary certifications from Virginia, she walks them through the qualification process so they have better opportunities with us and other large contractors.
Sheila also makes long-term investments in the SWaM firms we partner with, looking for opportunities to help them grow in their success. Men Power Labor LLC started out as a lower tier subcontractor on prior projects with us, but Sheila recognized that they had the potential to grow into a first-tier subcontractor. With her support, they transitioned to a prime subcontractor, and they are successfully completing work in that role on the DFS project. Sheila brings a genuine commitment to finding and helping diverse firms be successful. She understands “the only way to help people succeed is to get to know one another and build a relationship,” and she brings her personal touch to networking. Sheila goes above and beyond in her commitment to our SWaM partners because she wants “to put firms on better footing for success.”
March 2, 2023 Richmond, VA–The Department of Forensic Science (DFS) and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) today broke ground on a new Central Laboratory and OCME Central District Office in Hanover County that will house both agencies’ statewide offices and their central Virginia operations. “This step in the process might seem like a beginning, but it actually is the culmination of years of work by multiple individuals,” said Dr. David Barron, Deputy Director of the Department of Forensic Science. “This project will enhance greatly our ability to support the criminal justice system by efficiently providing quality and timely laboratory services in criminal matters throughout the Commonwealth as well as advancing the understanding of forensic science in order to promote public safety.” “This new facility will provide us with the updated equipment and space necessary to perform ar our highest functionality,” Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William T. Gormley said. “moreover, the new training space will make it that much easier for our teams to prepare for our cases.” The new Central Laboratory, located at 8850 Times Dispatch Boulevard in Hanover County, is scheduled to be completed in early 2026. The Central Laboratory that houses the DFS and OCME combined facility has been located in the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park in downtown Richmond since 1998.
Celebrating Our Groundbreaking
OCME
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is part of the Virginia Department of Health and is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners. OCME is responsible for determining the cause and manner of deaths that occur under certain circumstances in Virginia. Each member of the medical examiner’s staff is committed to providing the detailed information demanded by the legal community while protecting the respect deserved by decedents and their families. More information can be found at www.vdh.virginia.gov/medical-examiner/.
DGS
DGS provides laboratory, procurement, real estate, construction, and engineering and architectural services for state agencies, as well as fleet vehicle management, graphic design, surplus property disposal, and mail service at the seat of government. The agency also manages the facilities and grounds at Capitol Square. More information can be found at dgs.virginia.gov.
For more information: Contact Dene Potter Director of Communications Phone: (804) 786-0282 Dena.potter@dgs.virginia.gov
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