Berkeley County has committed $1 million to the development of the new Tri-County Biological Science Center, a collaborative effort involving Berkeley, Dorchester, and Charleston counties. This decision was finalized by the Berkeley County Council in a recent agreement with Charleston County.
“This new Biological Science Center will dramatically improve the turnaround time for crime scene and forensic science investigations in Berkeley County and beyond. Processing DNA in a timelier manner will also aid our judicial process and alleviate overcrowding at our jail,” said Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis in a press release. “We are incredibly grateful and proud of the Tri-County teamwork on this Charleston County-led initiative and look forward to seeing the positive results of its impact for years to come.”
The center, to be situated at 3765 Leeds Avenue in North Charleston, will specialize in DNA processing. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of DNA testing across the Tri-County area, expediting local criminal investigations and alleviating the current backlog at the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s Forensic Services Laboratory.
Currently in the design development stage, the project is set to break ground this month, with an anticipated completion date in late 2025. Following construction, the center will undergo a two-year accreditation process before becoming fully operational.
