New forensic I.D. unit opens in region

News Release
Ont. Gov.

A new Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) forensic identification services unit officially opened in Thunder Bay Nov. 27th.
The state-of-the-art, 13,500-square-foot building provides the OPP and Thunder Bay police with advanced tools to analyse evidence, solve crimes and keep northern communities safe.
It includes:
•A biohazard/chemical laboratory and bloodstain room for blood spatter examination
•Modern fingerprinting technologies
•A specially designed heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to reduce exposure of personnel to harmful chemicals.
“The new Thunder Bay forensic identification services unit will advance the science of criminal investigation in northwestern Ontario and support the OPP in solving crimes and keeping our communities safe," said Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
“This is a unique partnership between the Thunder Bay Police Service and the OPP that provides our community with exceptional resources to investigate crime and serve our citizens," said Lynn Peterson, Mayor of Thunder Bay.
“I am very pleased by our government’s significant investment in public safety in northwestern Ontario," said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North
“Today’s announcement is another indicator of our commitment as a government to policing and safety issues within our community. This building helps provide cutting edge technology to our police services, and saves the city taxpayers at the same time," said Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
“The collection, analysis and storage of evidence is essential to any police investigation. I am very pleased that this state-of-the-art facility is now making a significant contribution to public safety in the Northwest Region," said Julian Fantino, Commissioner of Ontario Provincial Police.
The $6.6-million Thunder Bay facility is one of five forensic identification units the Ontario government has replaced or upgraded since 2003.
An additional eight forensic identification units will be upgraded as part of the OPP Modernization Project being undertaken by Infrastructure Ontario.