August 27, 2025
Rutherford County officials, community leaders, and project partners gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Rutherford County Forensic Center, marking the start of an important new chapter for the county.
Designed by Kline Swinney Associates (KSA), this 15,000 sf, state-of-the-art Forensic Center will provide the resources and advanced technology needed to support local forensic investigations and medical research. The new facility will enable forensic specialists to work more efficiently and collaboratively within a secure and thoughtfully designed environment that meets the highest industry standards.
Located on a 10-acre campus near Weakley Lane alongside other county services, the $15 million project is fully funded through county reserves and requires no new taxes or debt. The Forensic Center is expected to be complete by early 2027 and will have the capacity to handle up to 1,000 autopsies each year. This will significantly reduce the current strain on Nashville’s Middle Tennessee Regional Forensic Center, which currently serves 60 counties across the region.
County leaders, including past Mayor Bill Ketron and current Mayor Joe Carr, have long emphasized the need for a local forensic center to serve Rutherford County families. Delays in receiving autopsy results and the need for law enforcement to travel to Nashville have created challenges that this new center will help resolve. By providing faster turnaround times, improving collaboration between detectives and forensic staff, and offering enhanced training opportunities for local investigators, the Forensic Center will directly support both public health and public safety.
More than just a new building, the Rutherford County Forensic Center represents a strong investment in justice, innovation, and community trust. Once operational, the facility is anticipated to become self-sustaining by offering services to surrounding counties for a fee, further strengthening its role as a regional resource.
The groundbreaking event celebrated not just the start of construction but the promise of a future where answers are delivered more quickly, investigations are supported more effectively, and families have timely access to the forensic services they need in Rutherford County.
