A long-awaited regional forensic science center set to open later this year is expected to revolutionize death investigations in central and northern Wisconsin, eliminating the need for police and medical examiners to travel hundreds of miles for autopsies.
Currently, law enforcement and medical examiners must travel to facilities in southeastern Wisconsin, losing valuable time and resources in the process. The new forensic science center will change that by providing a state-of-the-art local facility, reducing delays and offering critical support for grieving families.
Marathon County Administrator Lance Leonhard, the director overseeing a new regional forensic science center, spoke with WPR’s Shereen Siewert about the new center. He said the facility will improve efficiency in death investigations and serve as a training hub for forensic professionals.
Beyond its role in forensic investigations, the center will also facilitate tissue donation services, filling a critical gap in northern Wisconsin.
The project, in development since 2017, is a partnership with North Central Technical College and the Medical College of Wisconsin and will offer hands-on educational opportunities for nursing students, surgical technicians, prosecutors and law enforcement.
“We are striving to make this facility more than a morgue, to really offer those opportunities whether you’re just starting your education or you’re in the career field right now and looking for that continuing education,” Leonhard told Siewert on “Morning Edition.” “There are all sorts of educational opportunities that this facility will permit.”
With the region’s first forensic pathologist set to begin work in August, Marathon County is preparing for the center’s rollout. Initially, it will focus on handling local cases while refining operational procedures, with the goal of accepting cases from surrounding counties soon after.
Leonhard discussed the challenges of providing timely forensic autopsies in the Wausau area. Currently, investigators must travel to places like Fond du Lac and Dane County, which requires significant time away from their service area. This issue has been under review since 2017, and they are excited about the upcoming opening of the new facility later this year, which will provide more efficient services.
Leonhard emphasized the facility’s focus on supporting grieving families. He said, “Families that we deal with are going through some of the most traumatic experiences… this facility is going to bring a timelier resolution to a lot of the questions that they might have.”
The center will also support tissue donation, providing essential spaces for donors and collaborating with procurement agencies to maximize opportunities. “Anything we can do to expand that access will pay a lot of dividends,” Leonhard said.
Additionally, the center will collaborate with local educational institutions like North Central Technical College and the Medical College of Wisconsin. This will support future forensic pathologists and healthcare professionals. Leonhard noted, “We envision allowing those on-site educational opportunities for medical careers… and this is a great opportunity to have this type of facility to help educate prosecutors, emergency medical service providers, and law enforcement.”
Finally, Leonhard shared that the project has widespread community support. “Everyone’s very excited,” he said, citing interest from almost 30 counties. The center plans to expand services as it grows, eventually accepting referrals from surrounding areas.
