Knox County Regional Forensic Center

Barber McMurry design for the new Knox County Regional Forensic Center supports the unique and challenging work of forensic professionals with a facility that is efficient, secure, and deeply human-centered.

The Forensic Center is a critical 24-hour operation serving as the medical examiner’s office for Knox and Anderson counties and conducting autopsies for 21 additional counties across Tennessee. The new 33,000-square-foot facility nearly doubles the size of the previous center, accommodating a growing workload that has risen from 1,900 cases in 2019 to nearly 3,000 cases per year.

The design focuses on operational efficiency, safety and staff wellbeing. Thoughtful zoning separates forensic and office areas, with appropriate safety and security protocols tailored for a complex, sensitive workflow. Natural light plays a key role in supporting the mental health and satisfaction of staff, while a landscaped interior courtyard brings daylight into surrounding office spaces and provides a quiet place of respite. 

The design integrates a seminar room to support training and education, encouraging collaboration and learning within the forensic community.