One of the most advanced bio hazard police laboratories in the country has been built in Surrey police Headquarters’ impressive Scientific Support Centre building in Guildford. The laboratory concept is a relatively new area in scientific support where technology has advanced the role of forensic science in crime detection.

Here, exhibits are examined that may be heavily contaminated with biological material and could be hazardous. As a result the entire fabric of the building was designed to reach stringent standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

Throughout, work surfaces, sinks and storage units have been supplied by GEC Anderson in made to measure seamless stainless steel modules, without any dirt traps where bacteria can linger and in a finish that is tough enough to withstand impact and abrasion. The units are cantilevered, with no legs, to make cleaning of the floor easy and some shelving and surfaces are perforated to enable contaminated exhibits to drain hygienically.

Special features include a large 2 x 1.5 metre inspection table on hydraulic legs, a shower and drying area, including stainless steel wall and floor. Here, blood-soaked clothing can drain away and then be dried in safe conditions.

John Armstrong, scientific support manager, said: “Often we deal with blood-stained clothing or other exhibits from scenes of crime and it is essential that surfaces can be totally cleaned, both in the interests of health and safety and in ensuring there is no risk of contamination of evidence lingering and influencing subsequent cases.

Exhibits can be heavily contaminated with biological material that could be hazardous, such as body fluid, blood, saliva, body tissue or other matter that can present a real health and safety risk. Therefore, the surface needs to be easy to disinfect, to provide a high standard of cleanliness.

With increasingly tough legislation the entire environment is geared to achieving total hygiene and safety. As well as the stainless steel surfaces there is a dedicated drainage and air conditioning system completely separate from the rest of the building.
The laboratory is in regular use, often as much as eight hours a day, in examining evidence recovered from scenes of crimes or other exhibits across Surrey police area that has grown, with recent changes in the county boundary taking over part of the Met Police territory.”

Chris Greenwood, project architect for WS Atkins, the design consultants, said that his team had to lead the way in designing the laboratory. “The concept is a relatively new sphere in scientific support and, at the time of its origination, few examples existed on which to base a design,” he said.

“Although now, most forces have similar facilities, they are not necessarily as extensive. Therefore, from a brief given to us by the head of the Scientific Support department at Surrey Police we designed the laboratory using materials that are extremely hygienic,” said Greenwood. “All the work surfaces are in stainless steel and we presented our requirements to GEC Anderson who helped with the design and recommended the various features.”
At Surrey, the laboratory was part of a completely new scientific support building which brought all departments under one central roof, helping to improve co-ordination and efficiency, including forensic photography, finger print department, audio and video laboratories, computer forensic analysis, technical support and forensic laboratory submissions to external laboratories.

This project was a challenge for GEC Anderson in that much care and attention was required to ensure that the demands of the specifier were met. Stainless steel was the only material that could possibly have been used and GEC Anderson were able to offer the necessary technical skill and ability to interpret and deal with the detailed requirements laid down within the time and budget allowed.