RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN — Rutherford County officials continue to see progress on the construction of a major public safety and justice initiative with construction continuing on the new Rutherford County Regional Forensic Center in Smyrna. What's described as a state-of-the-art facility, located on a 10-acre county campus at 206 I Street near Weakley Lane, is scheduled for completion and full operation by early 2027, providing critical forensic services that officials say will enhance law enforcement investigations, deliver faster answers to grieving families, and elevate regional forensic capacity.

Officials broke ground on the $15 million project after years of planning, with county leaders, municipal representatives, and community partners participating in the ceremony. The center will join existing county services on site, including emergency medical services and the County Clerk’s Office, forming a comprehensive public-service hub for North Rutherford County.

Upon completion, the facility will house advanced autopsy and forensic laboratories capable of conducting up to 1,000 autopsies annually. This capacity is expected to significantly reduce the workload at the overburdened Middle Tennessee Regional Forensic Center in Nashville, which currently handles cases from more than 60 counties. Local law enforcement agencies have frequently contended with lengthy travel and turnaround times for autopsy reports; the new center aims to shorten those delays and allow investigators to remain on scene while forensic analysis is completed.

County Mayor Joe Carr and other officials have emphasized the importance of local access to timely forensic services. Carr stated during an interview on WGNS Radio... Leaders say the center will strengthen the county’s ability to serve families enduring the loss of a loved one by providing quicker, transparent results and easing the emotional burden associated with waiting for answers.

In addition to its core investigative functions, the facility is designed to serve as an educational resource, offering training opportunities for forensic science students, medical examiner staff, law enforcement personnel, first responders, and judicial professionals. County planners also anticipate the center may generate revenue and become self-sustaining by providing services to neighboring jurisdictions on a fee basis.

The Rutherford County Regional Forensic Center is positioned to bring both technical excellence and increased capacity to an increasingly populous county, reinforcing public confidence in the justice system while supporting efficient, evidence-based investigations throughout Middle Tennessee.

Prior to Mayor Carr moving forward with the new forensics center, past Mayor Bill Ketron forwarded the idea to the forefront. However, the funding behind the idea couldn't be met during Ketron's term. That recently changed in the past 2-years and the center will soon be a reality upon completion next year.