The Bureau of Criminal Investigation lab in Bowling Green would be expanded and add
an educational component to its mission under a plan included in Gov. John
Kasich’s capital improvements budget for 2013-2014 presented Wednesday in
Columbus.
The budget recommends spending $11.5 million to build a state-of-the-art crime lab
and investigations on the campus of Bowling Green State University.
Tim Keen, director of the Office of Budget and Management, said that the project
would both allow the lab to be expanded and create "a unique, first of its
kind partnership between BCI and BGSU. The collaboration aims to advance the
forensic sciences while preparing future scientists and investigators to leave
college immediately ready for employment in the public safety field."
Dave Kielmeyer, spokesman for BGSU, said the site of the new facility had yet to be
determined.
"Locating the new BCI facility on the campus of Bowling Green State University
is a win-win situation," said Attorney General Mike DeWine said, in a
statement. "BCI will expand its space to better serve law enforcement in
northwest Ohio while working hand in hand with the university to help prepare
the next generation of forensic scientists and investigators."
According to BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey, the university is just beginning to
explore ways it can collaborate with the new lab. "The possibilities are
endless," Mazey said. "The facility will help build upon our strengths
in the sciences and criminal justice. We also look forward to research
initiatives to develop new cutting edge techniques."
"These types of collaborations are good for Ohio," Mazey added.
"Attorney General DeWine and the governor are to be applauded for their
vision and willingness to pursue this partnership."
Lisa Hackley, a spokesman for DeWine, said that the state is committed to maintaining
the BCI lab in Bowling Green, but the existing facility is "very limited on
space."
The new project would address that space issue while enabling the Attorney General’s
office "to work hand in hand with BGSU to help prepare students in law
enforcement, public safety, forensic science and criminal justice."
She said she did not know how many people the new center would employ. "We’re at
the very beginning," she said.