Chico State Launches New Human Identification Laboratory: A West Coast Hub for Forensic Discovery

In a landmark stride for forensic science, California State University, Chico has announced the groundbreaking of its brand-new Human Identification Laboratory (HIL)—a facility poised to transform forensic anthropology, skeletal analysis, and missing persons investigations across the western United States.

Approved by the CSU Board of Trustees in January 2025 and supported by a $58 million investment, this two-story, 29,600-square-foot laboratory will nestle at the southwest edge of Chico’s campus. With design by SmithGroup and construction by DPR Construction, the HIL features energy-efficient systems and flexible spaces for both secure forensic operations and public outreach. This initiative is driven by the vision of making HIL the leading collaborative research and teaching centre in forensic anthropology.

The HIL’s primary mission is to support law enforcement, medical examiners, and legal professionals in the identification of human remains, offering rapid-response field teams and state-of-the-art laboratory analysis to resolve cold cases and provide closure to families. The facility specialises in skeletal recovery, trauma analysis, biological profiling, and forensic archaeology, leveraging the expertise of two board-certified forensic anthropologists—making it the only university-based lab of its caliber in the western U.S.

Beyond research, the HIL stands as a regional education center, offering hands-on forensic training, internships, and workshops for up to 100 students and professionals at a time. Its network already spans 158 agencies across eight states and Washington, D.C., ensuring that scientific discovery directly serves the needs of society.