Idaho State Police Break Ground on $29M Forensic Lab in Meridian
The $29 million facility will expand DNA, digital and ballistic testing as Idaho State Police seeks faster results and better support for cold cases.
- Idaho State Police broke ground Tuesday on a new 20,000-square-foot forensics laboratory in Meridian, a $29 million project officials say will expand the state's capacity to solve murders, process DNA evidence faster and reopen cold cases.
- ISP Director Col. Bill Gardiner compared the current workspace to "a family of four living in, like, a 500-square-foot apartment," where scientists must repeatedly stow equipment between tests, slowing investigations significantly.
- Scheduled for completion in January 2028, the facility will house DNA casework, digital forensics, and ballistic testing. About 90% of the work performed supports local and county law enforcement agencies across Idaho, not just state police.
- Gov. Brad Little secured federal American Rescue Plan Act funding for the project and emphasized its efficiency gains. DNA turnaround times have already dropped from 2-3 weeks to 45 minutes, he noted, promising swifter justice statewide.
- The agency plans to establish whole genome sequencing capabilities for advanced forensic DNA analysis to assist complex investigations. Gardiner noted the facility reflects the state's significant, ongoing commitment to public safety and forensic excellence.
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Idaho State Police want to speed up DNA tests. The state just broke ground on a new forensics lab
MERIDIAN (Idaho Capital Sun) — State law enforcement officials broke ground Tuesday on a new forensics laboratory that they hope will improve the state’s already-fast processing of criminal forensics evidence. And they hope that the $29 million forensics laboratory, based at Idaho State Police’s Headquarters in Meridian, will streamline lab services that are tapped by […] The post Idaho State Police want to speed up DNA tests. The state just br…
Idaho State Police breaks ground on new forensic laboratory in Meridian
MERIDIAN, Idaho – The Idaho State Police (ISP) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday for a new 20,000-square-foot forensic laboratory that is expected to greatly expand the agency’s forensic science capabilities.
New ISP forensics lab designed to keep all Idahoans safer
MERIDIAN — Gov. Brad Little spoke Tuesday morning about safety in Idaho and what police at the state, county and municipal levels need to keep safe the people who live and work within the Gem State.
Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho State Police want to speed up DNA tests. The state just broke ground on a new forensic lab.
Gov. Brad Little, center, tosses dirt with a shovel next to Idaho State Police Col. Bill Gardiner, right, at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new forensics laboratory on Aug. 25, 2026. (Photo by Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)State law enforcement officials broke ground Tuesday on a new forensics laboratory that they hope will improve the state’s already-fast processing of criminal forensics evidence. And they hope that the $29 million fore…
Idaho State Police break ground on $29M forensic lab in Meridian
Idaho State Police broke ground Tuesday on a new 20,000-square-foot forensic services laboratory in Meridian, a $29 million project officials say will expand the state's ability to solve murders, process DNA evidence faster and reopen cold cases.The facility will bring DNA evidence processing, digital forensics, fingerprint analysis and ballistic evidence testing under one roof. WATCH: Idaho State Police break ground on $29M forensic lab in Meri…
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