After years of planning and advocacy, the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center in Wichita, KS has received approval for a $20 million expansion, marking a major milestone for a project driven by rising caseloads, aging infrastructure, and the growing demands of modern forensic science.
Lab Design News previously spoke with the Regional Forensic Science Center in July 2025 about the case for expansion and the challenges driving the proposal. Further reading: Making the Case: How Labs Can Advocate for Upgrades and Expansion
The Sedgwick County Commission voted 4-1 on April 8 to approve the expansion, which will be funded through general obligation bonds. The project includes construction of a new building across the street from the existing facility, along with renovations and repurposing of space in the legacy building. Together, the additions are intended to improve laboratory workflows, expand capacity across multiple forensic disciplines, and address longstanding operational constraints that have increasingly affected service delivery…