N. LITTLE ROCK, AR. - A brand new building for science and justice is quickly taking shape in North Little Rock. This is the future Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, and its construction marks an important step forward for solving crimes in the state.
On April 10, the Arkansas Department of Public Safety celebrated a special moment. They held a "topping out" ceremony, which means they placed the very last main steel beam on the building.
The new lab will be very large, covering 190,000 square feet on Northshore Drive. It's being built to replace the current crime lab, which has been in use since 1981 and has become too small for all the work needed.
Deputy Director Sammy Williams spoke at the event, saying the new building shows their strong commitment "to bring clarity where there is confusion... and justice where it is needed most."
State leaders believe the much larger space will allow forensic scientists to work faster and more effectively. This includes important tasks like analyzing DNA, testing for toxic substances, examining digital evidence, and checking firearms.
Director and Chief Medical Examiner Theodore Brown explained that the new lab will help them "be more efficient, to be able to provide the results that Arkansans rely on every single day." Officials say the updated facility will give staff the modern tools and space they need to better support law enforcement and the public.
The Department of Public Safety bought the 19-acre property for over four million dollars in 2024, calling it a smart investment in safety and justice for everyone. The new crime lab is expected to be fully finished and ready for use in 2027.
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