Victoria Police's forensic capabilities will receive a huge boost as the Morwell Forensic Hub commences operations today.
Significant impacts will be felt across eastern region, as local police are given faster access to forensic services to assist in investigating crime and apprehending offenders more quickly.
Victoria Police Morwell Acting Superintendent Robert Wallace said the new hub represented a strong improvement in community safety and greatly benefited local police and local communities.
"The Forensic Hub will significantly improve the policing service to the local Morwell community, as well as the entire eastern region," A/Supt Wallace said.
"Some of our most commonly encountered forensic evidence no longer needs to travel to Melbourne for testing, we can do it right here in our backyard.
"The Forensic Hub will give our officers more immediate access to forensic services, helping to detect and disrupt crime more quickly.
"It will also free up our officers time so police can be out in the community and undertake their frontline duties.
"The benefits of this greater forensic capability also extend to the state by redirecting evidence previously sent to the forensic department in Melbourne.
"The community can be reassured that this forensic hub greatly extends the capability of Victoria Police in disrupting crime and ensuring the community is safe."
Victoria Police Forensic Services Executive Director Rebecca Kogios said the Forensic Department was thrilled to be extending its capability to regional communities.
"The state-of-the-art facility will deliver high quality forensic services to regional communities with the aim of fast-tracking investigations," ED Kogios said.
"The Regional Forensic Hub will house scientific equipment and specialist staff, trained to perform multi-disciplinary evidence recovery across a range of biological, chemical, digital, botanical and fingerprint specialties."
The Morwell Forensic Hub will accommodate 14 forensic specialists and support staff.
The Regional Forensic Hub was funded part of the $596 million Public Safety Package announced in the 2016-17 Victorian Budget, which also includes a Forensic Hub in Ballarat.
