Milwaukee County's medical examiners and Wisconsin's Milwaukee Crime Lab spent years working in facilities that had outgrown the demands of modern forensic investigations. The medical examiner's office operated from West Highland Avenue, while the crime lab worked from a 1980s building on South 11th Street.
On October 9, 2026, state, county and project leaders gathered in Wauwatosa to celebrate a new home for both agencies and two additional organizations.
The ribbon cutting marked the completion of the 217,150 square foot Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility at 9400 W. Doyne Avenue on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus. The four-story building brings together the Wisconsin Department of Justice Milwaukee Crime Lab, Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management and Versiti's Organ Procurement Organization and Tissue Bank.
Key Takeaways
- The Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility celebrated its official ribbon cutting on October 9, 2026, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
- The 217,150 square foot facility brings four organizations together, including the Milwaukee Crime Lab, Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, Office of Emergency Management and Versiti's organ and tissue services.
- Specialized spaces include more than 70,000 square feet of crime lab space, 12 autopsy stations, a 911 dispatch center and an Emergency Operations Center.
- C.D. Smith Construction led construction efforts, with its own crews performing several trades on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus.
Four Public Safety Services in One Building
Each organization occupies space developed for its specific operations, according to Milwaukee County.
- Wisconsin DOJ Milwaukee Crime Lab: More than 70,000 square feet supports forensic analysis and evidence examination. The laboratory received accreditation from the ANSI National Accreditation Board in July 2026 and began processing evidence later that month.
- Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office: The facility includes 12 autopsy stations, including a teaching station and two decomposition stations, along with instrument laboratories, extraction rooms and refrigerated storage for approximately 125 decedents. A private waiting area provides space for families.
- Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management: A dedicated Emergency Operations Center, new 911 dispatch center, EMS operations and data analytics functions support emergency preparedness and response coordination.
- Versiti Organ Procurement Organization and Tissue Bank: Expanded space includes two dedicated tissue recovery rooms supporting organ and tissue donation services.
Built Around the People Behind the Work
At the October 9 ceremony, state and county officials spoke about the professionals who work in the facility and the families who depend on their services.
"This facility is about the people behind the work."
David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive
For medical examiner staff, the new facility provides dedicated spaces for forensic examinations and a private waiting area for families. The location near the Medical College of Wisconsin also supports training opportunities for forensic pathology fellows.
For the crime lab, purpose built laboratories support the scientific examination of evidence. Emergency management teams have dedicated facilities for coordinating preparedness and response, including during major emergencies.
Bringing these operations together also creates opportunities for closer coordination among agencies whose responsibilities often intersect.
Specialized Spaces, One Coordinated Building
Crime laboratories, autopsy suites, evidence storage, a firing range and emergency operations each have different requirements for security, circulation and building systems. Accommodating those functions in one facility required careful coordination among the agencies, design partners and construction teams.
The building incorporates separate environmental controls for sensitive spaces, allowing each organization to operate within the conditions its work requires.
C.D. Smith crews performed site work, concrete, masonry, steel erection, precast parking structure installation, GFRC facade installation, rough carpentry and millwork. Construction was coordinated within the active Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus.
"People are ecstatic," Todd Wunderlich, C.D. Smith's director of development, told WTMJ at the ribbon cutting. He noted that both the state crime lab and Milwaukee County had been working in outdated facilities.
From Groundbreaking to Ribbon Cutting
The October ceremony followed nearly three years of construction and agency transitions.
- November 2023: Groundbreaking on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus.
- 2024: Construction progressed on the four story facility.
- May 2025: County leaders toured the building when construction was approximately 70 percent complete.
- July 2026: The Milwaukee Crime Lab received accreditation and began processing evidence.
- September 2026: The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office moved into the new facility.
- October 9, 2026: State, county and project leaders celebrated the completed facility with an official ribbon cutting.
Additional project information, construction details and photography are available in the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility project profile.
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Date: October 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility located?
The facility is located at 9400 W. Doyne Avenue in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus.
When did the facility open?
Agencies began occupying the building earlier in 2026. The official ribbon cutting took place on October 9, 2026.
Which organizations are housed in the facility?
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Milwaukee Crime Lab, Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management and Versiti's Organ Procurement Organization and Tissue Bank.
What specialized spaces are included?
The facility includes forensic laboratories, evidence examination and storage areas, autopsy stations, emergency operations and dispatch facilities, a firing range and dedicated tissue recovery rooms.
Who led construction of the facility?
C.D. Smith Construction led construction efforts as part of the broader project team. More information is available in the project profile.
Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility in the News
Local, regional and industry media covered the opening and the transition to the new facility.
- Milwaukee County and State of Wisconsin open new "Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility" | WTMJ | 10.09.2026
- State of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County Open $245 Million Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility | Milwaukee County | 10.09.2026
- Gov. Evers, County Executive Crowley Celebrate New Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility | WisPolitics | 10.09.2026
- Milwaukee opens new Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility | Spectrum News 1 | 10.09.2026
- Milwaukee County's new multi-million-dollar crime lab, medical examiner's facility opens | CBS 58 | 10.09.2026
- Milwaukee County opens $245 million forensic sciences and protective medicine facility | WISN 12 | 10.09.2026
- New $245 Million Forensic Science Facility Is a 'Watershed Moment' | Urban Milwaukee | 10.11.2026
- New $245 million Forensic Science facility brings crime lab, medical examiner together | BizTimes Milwaukee | 10.12.2026
- $245 M Forensic Science and Medicine Facility Opens in Wisconsin | Forensic Magazine | 10.14.2026
- New Milwaukee Crime Lab opens, accredited and processing evidence | FOX6 | 07.29.2026
