INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Coroner's Office and Forensic Services Agency are moving into a brand-new building in the city's Twin Aire neighborhood. It's the latest addition to the Community Justice Campus, about one-half of a mile away from Marion County's jail and courts. The facility at 2545 E Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive will officially open Monday.
It's the first time the Forensic Services Agency will operate out of one building. For 30 years, staff have been split between three different offices throughout Indianapolis. One of those buildings also housed the coroner's office.
Leaders of both agencies anticipate the new building will save Marion County time and money. An in-house firing range means the county won't have to contract with private ranges to conduct ballistic testing, and employees won't have to drive evidence between multiple sites.
"For the first time in the history of this crime lab, we are bringing every element under one roof," FSA director Richard Amberger said.
At a Thursday ribbon cutting, county coroner Leeandra Sloan said the new building was the result of a 15-year effort. Construction cost $25 million, compared to $590 million for the jail and courts.
"I believe this incredible facility was well worth the wait," Sloan said. "I'm ecstatic that it now exists."
What will the new building do for Indianapolis?
The volume and complexity of cases handled by both offices has dramatically increased over the last decades. Deputy Chief Coroner Alfie McGinty estimated the FSA processed evidence in 1,200 cases in 2002 compared to 4,000 in 2023. That's not necessarily due to increased crime. Forensic technology has advanced rapidly over the past two decades, so a scientist working with evidence today may be able to glean information that wouldn't have been available 20 years ago.
The new building's increased space and updated technology will speed up the county's ability to bring answers to grieving families. The forensics team hopes to process a backlog of evidence, which could solve cold cases. Amberger said the increased space will create 17 new jobs, an opportunity he hopes will attract more forensic scientists to Indianapolis.
Glass panels on examination rooms' walls allow investigators to observe autopsies without encountering unpleasant smells or changing into sterile garments. There's a couch and television so deputy coroners can take a break during physically and emotionally exhausting shifts. A classroom will allow staff to sit comfortably during training rather than cramming into a conference room.
The facility wasn't just built with staff amenities in mind. The coroner's office regularly meets with people after they've lost a loved one, so the building has two comfort rooms for grieving families.
"Family and friends often come to our office on one of the worst — or the worst — days of their lives," McGinty said.
What is the coroner's office?
The coroner's office investigates certain types of deaths, including homicides, car crashes, and any death of a child. Medical doctors specializing in forensic pathology conduct autopsies. Deputy coroners go to scenes where people have died, collecting evidence and talking to witnesses or family members about medical history.
The county coroner is an elected official who leads the agency. Dr. Leeandrea Sloan was elected as Marion County coroner in 2016 and will reach her term limit at the end of this year. Alfie McGinty, a 27-year veteran of the office who currently serves as deputy chief coroner, is running as her successor.
The office is also responsible for gathering death statistics. That data can prompt public health initiatives. In 2023, the Marion County Coroner's Office was awarded more than $1 million from state opioid settlements to drive substance use and mental health programs after a spike in overdose deaths.
What does the Forensic Services Agency do?
The Forensic Services Agency analyzes evidence in criminal cases, and they work with the coroner's office when those cases involve death. Forensic Services employees might work in a laboratory or visit a crime scene to collect evidence.
Forensic scientists can analyze evidence ranging from blood spatter to forged documents. They verify that drugs seized by law enforcement were correctly identified, and they test blood samples collected after DUI arrests.
The agency inspected nearly 66,000 pieces of evidence last year, according to its most recent annual report .
Unlike the coroner, the head of the FSA is not an elected official.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Marion County Coroner and CSI move to state-of-the-art building
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