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The largest coroners’ court and forensic medicine facility in Australia was relocated to Lidcombe to create Australia’s leading forensic and coronial precinct. Watpac completed the facility for NSW Health Pathology and the Department of Justice.ÌýÌýAdvanced technologies, increased capacity and new ways of working assist forensic medicine, coronial staff and police solve complex coronial investigations. Filled with natural light, the facility features artwork that is incorporated within the building finishes, both externally and internally, which presented challenges for the construction team.ÌýÌý
Key features include:
Ìý-ÌýÌýÌýÌýPrivate viewing and counseling roomsÌý
Ìý-ÌýÌýÌýÌýAdvanced additional clinical equipment to help provide cause-of-death answersÌý
Ìý-ÌýÌýÌýÌýModern and expanded clinical facilities for NSW Health Pathology Forensic and Analytical Science Services Laboratories including state-of-the-art mortuary, freezers and cold storage facilitiesÌý
Ìý-ÌýÌýÌýÌýFour state-of-the-art court roomsÌý
Ìý-ÌýÌýÌýÌýMulti-purpose rooms with state-of-the-art, high-definition monitors capable of screening inquests for the media and general public if the courtroom is fullÌý
Ìý-ÌýÌýÌýÌýAudio-visual facilities allowing evidence to be given remotelyÌý
Ìý-ÌýÌýÌýÌýAdvanced teaching suites.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
One performance requirement was airtight, watertight and crack-free slabs to ensure odours and liquids were contained in the mortuary. To reduce the risk of large cracks occurring over time, the team designed a joint-free slab, with a plastic grid system placed to induce hairline cracking over a one-week period. A topping screed was applied when the moisture content was optimum.ÌýÌýConstruction difficulties included items such as the mortuary table design, strip drains throughout the mortuary floor, waterproofing and vinyl detailing and the integration of conflicting falls, which all added to the detailing difficulties.ÌýÌýÌýThe mechanical system included negative pressure cascade for odour and infections isolation. Permeability testing was carried out to ensure each of the rooms met the strict performance criteria.ÌýÌýThe AV solutions were complex and NSW Department of Justice and NSW Forensic Pathologists were intimately involved in the solutions. Specialist systems included a body capture system for the mortuary, admissions, and integrated video conferencing for homicide, pathology and teaching suites.ÌýÌýWatpac successfully integrated the requirements of pathology services, NSW Justice and NSW Health infrastructure requirements in completing this project to a high standard.