Known as the John Tonge Centre, the institute was conceived by the Queensland Department of Health to be a ‘centre of excellence’ equipped to offer the latest in modern, highly specialised forensic services.
Situated within the scientific support complex campus, adjacent to the government chemical laboratory, the centre has two levels with the forensic biology laboratory on the upper level. The lower level houses the forensic pathology area. It incorporates a post mortem facility, laboratories, offices, short term body storage space and an area where relatives of the deceased can be received in sensitively planned surroundings.
The forensic pathology area is clearly divided into clean, dirty and interface areas. Clean areas include viewing rooms, interview rooms with blood testing facilities, receival and dispatch areas and a 31 seat observation area. Dirty areas include theatre dissecting rooms and interface areas include staff change rooms, cold rooms and freezers.
On the upper level, specialist laboratory apparatus and equipment was installed enabling biological samples of tissues and fluids from crime scenes and victims to be secured and tested for DNA, each individuals ‘genetic fingerprint’.
The institutes design and construction centred on high level security with provision for possible future extensions. Extremely complex services were the projects hallmark, reflecting the changing needs and functions of forensic institutes.
