A new Morwell Forensic Hub in Morwell is giving police in the Latrobe Valley faster, more efficient forensic resources to fight crime thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services Danny Pearson officially opened the Morwell Forensic Hub today, which enables forensic evidence collected from crime scenes across the eastern region of Victoria to be transported and processed in Morwell.

With police previously required to travel to Macleod for forensic services, the new facility has significantly cut down on travel time – allowing police to dedicate more time to catching criminals and keeping the community safe. It has also created local jobs in the area.

Since the hub commenced operations in May 2019, more than 1,000 hours of police time has been saved across Morwell and other regions.

The hub now offers a wide range of forensic disciplines including biological, chemical, digital, botanical and fingerprint services. It features 14 specially trained staff who conduct evidence recovery and preliminary analyses, utilising the latest technology, as part of the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department.

It is supported by a mobile forensic unit that quickly deploys a sophisticated forensic equipment suite to any location in the Latrobe Valley, accelerating local forensic services and helping police solve crimes.

Mobile forensic units help police analyse evidence at crime scenes or bushfires and have the technical capability to process chemical and biological evidence, CCTV footage and fingerprints, examine burnt or damaged documents and provide a command centre on the ground.

This is the third mobile forensic unit to be delivered as part of the Victorian Government’s $49.4 million Counter-Terrorism investment. The Morwell Forensic Hub has been delivered as part of the Government’s $596 million Public Safety Package, which included $11.6 million for two new forensic hubs, one in Morwell and one in Ballarat.

Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services Danny Pearson

“We’ve delivered two new forensic hubs and three mobile forensic units to help police catch criminals quicker in regional and rural areas of Victoria.”

“The Hub has ensured faster forensic processing in the Latrobe Valley and more time for police to be out in the community keeping people safe.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“The Morwell Forensic Hub project created 124 jobs during construction – including 12 apprenticeships – and the facility now employs 14 fully trained professionals.”