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McGuinty Government Boosts Crime Solving Capabilities In Southwestern
Ontario
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TORONTO, Oct. 31 /CNW/ -
NEWS
A new Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) forensic identification services
unit officially opened in Tillsonburg today. It will provide police with
access to new advanced tools to analyse evidence and solve crimes.
The new 13,000-square-foot facility houses state-of-the-art laboratories
and storage facilities to perform modern forensic investigations and keep
communities safe. The unit combines forensic identification units formerly
located at OPP detachments in London and Simcoe.
The new forensic unit includes:
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- A biohazard/chemical laboratory and blood stain room for blood
splatter examination
- Modern fingerprinting technologies
- A specially designed heating, ventilation and air conditioning system
to reduce exposure of personnel to harmful chemicals.
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QUOTES
"The new Tillsonburg Forensic Identification Services Unit will raise the
science of criminal investigation in Southwestern Ontario and support the OPP
in solving crimes and keeping our communities safe," said Community Safety and
Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci
(http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about_min/bio.html).
"Technology, legislation and operational needs for forensic police
investigations have changed. This new facility provides the tools and
technology that OPP investigators need to do their jobs efficiently," said OPP
Commissioner Julian Fantino
(http://opp.ca/Organization/Commissioner/index.htm).
QUICK FACTS
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- The $5.4-million Tillsonburg facility is one of five forensic
identification units the Ontario government has identified for
replacement or upgrading. Three of the projects are completed and two
are underway as part of a significant investment to replace or
upgrade facilities for front-line police officers.
- Fourteen new OPP detachment buildings and offices across the province
have either been completed or are underway as part of this
investment.
LEARN MORE
Read more about the Ontario Provincial Police
(http://www.opp.ca/english.htm).
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BACKGROUNDER
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MODERN POLICE FACILITIES FOR SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO
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Many existing Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) facilities are beyond their
useful life (40-50 years) and were not designed to meet current program,
security and adequacy requirements. The McGuinty government is making
significant investments to replace or upgrade facilities for front-line police
officers to reflect Ontario's changing demographics, increased standards and
new technological requirements.
NEW OPP FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION UNIT - TILLSONBURG
This project is part of the overall strategy to enhance and use
state-of-the-art technologies to collect and process forensic evidence in an
environment that protects front-line personnel. The strategy consolidates and
reduces the number of forensic identification units from 16 to 13. The
Tillsonburg unit is an amalgamation of two units previously located in OPP
detachments in London and Simcoe.
OPP forensic identification units are responsible for crime scene
management and for evidence processing in support of the investigation and
prosecution of crimes. Forensic identification unit members collect evidence
at crime scenes and then transport it to the unit facility where it is further
examined and processed for additional evidentiary information, such as
fingerprints, footwear and tire impressions, as well as trace evidence, such
as blood, hair and fibres. The integrity and continuity of this evidence is
paramount from the time it is collected to the time it is presented in court.
The new building, consisting of 13,000-square-feet of combined office,
laboratory and garage space, incorporates many of the latest technologies
available to apprehend and convict offenders.
The facility:
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- Contains state-of-the-art evidence-processing rooms with a specially
constructed heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to
minimize health risks from harmful pathogens and chemical agents
- Incorporates rooms to facilitate the simultaneous examination of
forensic evidence from single or multiple crime scenes.
The total project cost was $5.4 million.
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Disponible en français
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For further information: Laura Blondeau, Minister's Office, (416) 325-4973; Anthony Brown, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7772
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