Friday, January 18, 2013

Gov. Sam Brownback's new budget proposal supports plans to build a forensic laboratory for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at Washburn University.

The budget unveiled Tuesday by the governor includes using $3.5 million from the Kansas Department of Transportation budget to pay for architectural, engineering and finance planning of the laboratory.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the proposed $40 million lab would be built on land donated by Washburn and financed through bonds issued by the university.

While providing KBI with a state-of-the-art facility for DNA testing and other procedures, the laboratory also would allow Washburn to create a forensic science program.

The KBI's main office is in Topeka. It also has laboratory space in Topeka, Great Bend, Pittsburg and Kansas City, Kan.