Wells – New world-class $14.5 million forensic labs for Victoria Police

Minister Wells opens new $14.5 McCallum Building providing Victoria Police with the latest forensic technology Victoria now a world-leader in the use of forensic technology Coalition Government building a better and safer Victoria.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells today joined with Victoria Police to officially open a new $14.5 million state-of-the-art complex that will provide police with the latest in forensic technology.

Joined by Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay to open the McCallum Building, Mr Wells said the multi-million dollar complex in the La Trobe University precinct would boost the ability of Victoria Police to crack down on crime.

“The Victorian Coalition Government continues to make an unprecedented investment in law and order, providing record levels of funding for Victoria Police since coming to office,” Mr Wells said.

“The new $14.5 Norman McCallum complex is a significant investment and demonstrates the Napthine Government’s commitment to enhancing community safety by providing state-of-the-art facilities for Victoria Police.

“Just as we are upgrading and building police stations across Victoria, we have also supported the investment in the McCallum Building which will see Victoria leading the world in the use of forensic technology.”

Mr Wells said the new complex provided the ideal working environment for more than 150 staff including biologists, chemists, researchers and support staff and would facilitate the task of detecting and investigating crime.

“The scientific requirements of law enforcement are constantly changing and it is imperative that our police are equipped with the resources necessary to ensure community safety,” Mr Wells said.

“The 26 fit-for-purpose laboratories and suites feature state-of-the-art equipment for examination of material, such as blood, for obtaining DNA, as well as dedicated instruments to locate trace evidence such as hair, paint and other small particles of evidence that may be vital in solving a crime.

“Having a multi-evidence recovery unit in the one location will support evidence collection and examination processes, reduce the risk of evidence contamination and streamline processes within Victoria Police.”

The Victoria Police Forensic Services Department’s 390 scientific staff operate across 16 different forensic specialist disciplines, support operational members in 50,000 cases a year and 350 crime scene officers across Victoria.

Mr Wells said the complex has been named in honour of Norman McCallum, a pioneer forensic scientist who began his career as a police officer.

“The McCallum Building recognises the first director of Forensic Services for Victoria Police, Dr Norman McCallum who established the first integrated forensic science laboratory in Spring Street in 1963,” Mr Wells said.

“Since then there have been many advances in forensic science, notably the use of DNA in identifying – or more importantly ruling out – potential suspects or giving families hope in cold-case investigations.”

Mr Wells said since coming to office, the Coalition Government has provided $221 million for new and upgraded police stations and facilities across the state and will continue to deliver on its community safety agenda.

“Output funding of $2.43 billion in 2014-15 gives Victoria Police the largest budget in its history, representing a 22 per cent increase on the last Labor budget,” Mr Wells said.

“This is a substantial part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to building a better, safer Victoria.”