Countywide : Grand Jury Backs Plan for New Forensic Lab

The Orange County Grand Jury has recommended that county officials consider a proposal by a private company to build a seven-story building in Santa Ana to permanently house the Sheriff’s Department forensic science unit.

The forensic unit, which analyzes and tests evidence gathered at crime scenes, now operates out of two separate buildings in the Civic Center, a costly and inefficient arrangement, the grand jury said. To consolidate operations and provide more space for the Sheriff’s Department crime lab, the grand jury recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider a plan by Hutton Development Co. to build a new forensic facility on the southwest corner of Flower Street and Santa Ana Boulevard.

The company has proposed building twin, seven-story buildings on the 3.4-acre site, along with a 1,200-space parking garage. One of the towers could be built to county specifications for the forensics unit. It would then be leased to the county. Officials estimate that the cost of a new forensics lab would be about $25 million. Earlier this year, county officials rated the Hutton proposal the best among five plans to relocate and consolidate the crime lab at a single site.

“There is a critical need for more space,” said Jodeane Harrod, chairwoman of the grand jury’s criminal justice committee. “Without new and expanded facilities, we increasingly run the risk of jeopardizing critical evidence needed in criminal investigations.”

The supervisors are expected to consider the Hutton proposal next month.