Murfreesboro, TN - The Rutherford County Commission has officially approved the construction of a $15 million forensic center with a 17-3 vote, marking a significant step toward improving forensic services in the region. The facility will be built on a ten-acre site at 206 I Street in Smyrna, near Weakley Lane, and will form part of the Rutherford County Campus, which already houses an Emergency Medical Service facility, the County Clerk’s Office, and a Convenience Center.
The decision follows nearly a year of deliberation after the Tennessee Department of Health identified an urgent need for a sixth regional forensic center in its Formal Assessment Final Report Feasibility Study. Rutherford County was selected as the ideal location, given its rising demand for forensic services.
County Mayor Joe Carr has been a longtime advocate for the project, echoing concerns voiced by previous county officials over the past 15 years. Carr emphasized that Rutherford County, the fourth-largest county in Tennessee, relies heavily on forensic services, citing a significant number of autopsies ordered by local law enforcement. He underscored that the new center would provide “prioritized quality for our residents with death investigation services.”
Commissioner Allen McAdoo, representing District 18, supported the initiative, stressing the importance of an in-house forensic facility. “Families endure tremendous hardship during the unexpected death of a loved one. This center will provide critical resources for law enforcement and the judicial system while ensuring faster turnaround times for families seeking answers,” McAdoo stated.
Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh echoed McAdoo’s sentiments, noting the forensic center would enhance criminal investigations. “One of the most important aspects of a death investigation is effective and expeditious communication,” Fitzhugh said. “The new facility will reduce result turnaround times from months to weeks, benefiting law enforcement and grieving families alike.”
Denise L. Martin, JD, F-ABMDI, Supervisor of Death Investigations for Rutherford County EMS/MEO, presented detailed findings before several committees, advocating for the facility’s necessity. “Professional death investigation and medical examiner services are essential public functions,” Martin said. “This state-of-the-art facility will provide timely, unbiased, and professional forensic services directly accountable to the citizens of Rutherford County.”
Beyond forensic investigations, the center is expected to serve as an educational hub, offering training opportunities for medical and forensic students, law enforcement personnel, first responders, and judicial professionals. The facility is slated to be operational by the first quarter of 2027.
