Denver Health and Hospital Authority

With the need for expansion, Denver’s Office of the Medical Examiner was relocated from 14,000 sf of space to a city-owned warehouse repurposed into a state-of-the-art forensic pathology and death investigation facility. Spanning 29,000 sf, the new facility features enhanced technologies to ensure high-quality medical examination and investigation services for the City and County of Denver well into the future.

The facility was carefully designed with workflow processes, safety, security and ergonomics at the forefront of the criteria and boasts sophisticated equipment and technological amenities. Features such as adjustable-height autopsy stations, bariatric lifts, automatic/touchless entry doors, odor control and directional air flow systems with daylighting maintain workflow efficiency and mitigate workplace fatigue.

Other design features include automated warning systems on temperature controls for freezers and coolers; an enhanced isolation autopsy suite for severe decomposition cases; and secure storage spaces for biological specimens, evidence and personal property on back-up MEP systems to mitigate risk. Spaces for grieving families and break rooms, locker rooms and a fitness room for employees complete the facility’s design.

On average, the Denver’s Medical Examiner Office completes more than 1,100 postmortem examinations and and issues 5,000 death reports annually.