After years of vision and planning, Chico State broke ground in November on the new Human Identification Laboratory. The 28,600-square-foot facility will give the renowned program a permanent home and the space to meet growing demand for its critical services.

The 50-year-old facility is the only full-time forensic anthropology laboratory in California and the largest west of Texas. In the past five years, it has conducted more than 638 investigations across 51 California counties and supported dozens of local, state, and federal partners, including the U.S. Department of Defense and the FBI. Its five-member team of forensic anthropologists and 20 student interns each semester respond to disasters, aid criminal investigations, and provide training to law enforcement statewide.

“The Human Identification Laboratory’s extraordinary team, with support from alumni and state and federal partners, has led recovery and identification efforts for some of the most devastating disasters in recent history—from the 2018 Camp Fire to the Maui and Los Angeles wildfires,” said Chico State President Steve Perez. “Their expertise, compassion, and service to communities across California and beyond embody the very best of Chico State.”

Designed with discretion, safety, and sustainability in mind, the new facility will triple refrigeration capacity, expand state-of-the-art wet and dry lab space, and feature isotope and DNA extraction laboratories, as well as a dedicated arrival space for transportation of human remains, advanced security systems, and improved natural lighting and ventilation. The 2023–24 state budget included a $3 million allocation to secure bonds for the project, which is expected to cost $55 million.

The new facility is imperative to continue the HIL’s vital work and lasting influence on the field of forensic anthropology across the nation for years to come.

“We are thrilled to open our new facility, a space that expands our capacity to serve families, train law enforcement, and educate future forensic anthropologists,” said HIL Director Ashley Kendell. “This facility strengthens our ability to respond in times of need and fosters collaboration, research, and outreach that benefit our community and state.”

The new facility will empower the lab to match caseload volume with the advanced technical expertise necessary to operate it, mobilize at an even faster pace to provide search and recovery in large-scale disasters, speed identification of remains, and train the next generation of forensic anthropologists who will search, recover, and identify missing persons to provide closure to families, bring criminals to justice, and make communities safer.

Access to technology currently sets the lab’s pace and efficiency. While the team eagerly awaits their new facility, they have a wish list of more than $2 million in equipment that would further support and enhance their work.

Topping the list is a full-body X-ray scanner to conduct head-to-toe scans to look for bullets or other trauma before a body is processed into skeletal remains. Additionally, they would like to secure drones and ground-penetrating radar to search for clandestine graves, rather than relying solely on probing and shovel tests.

As an assistant professor of anthropology at Purdue University, Melanie Beasley (MA, Anthropology, ’08) said she still uses the casework, skeletal analysis, and ethics she learned during her days with the HIL to guide her research and teaching.

“The Human ID Lab has had a huge impact on the discipline and served the needs of California on a shoestring budget with outdated facilities for too long,” she said. “I cannot imagine what the Human ID Lab will be able to accomplish with the new facility.”

In addition to its investigative and research roles, the new HIL will host Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) courses, Chico State’s Certificate in Forensic Science and graduate programs, and other workshops.

To date, the HIL has trained over 2,500 officers across California in homicide investigation and wildfire recovery techniques. Its faculty-developed curriculum was adopted by POST and endorsed by the California Office of Emergency Services for ongoing education of law enforcement, coroners, and emergency personnel.