New state crime lab brings 'justice to the guilty'

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It was hard to find a face without a smile in the crowd attending the dedication of the $30 million high-tech laboratory.

Some forensic science experts are calling this real-life "CSI” laboratory one of the best in the United States.

OSBI Director DeWade Langley said, "The purpose of this building is not its beauty and grandeur, but truth and justice.

"Work done within these walls by these great people and the criminalists that will follow in generations to come will bring justice to the guilty and the truth will set the innocent free.”

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins told workers they were the reason state officials were able to build the laboratory in Edmond. She said her admiration and respect for the OSBI began when she was a young judge in Duncan listening to forensic testimony in her courtroom.

"It would have never happened if not for the men and women who worked for this agency for years,” Askins said. "You have created a reputation that is above reproach and you have made yourselves accountable for every dollar that the state has given you to spend.

"You have been the example that we needed. You were the ones who made this happen. I was lucky to be your cheerleader.”

There was an abundance of praise for the joint cooperation between the city of Edmond, University of Central Oklahoma and OSBI officials.

Edmond officials originally purchased the land where the center sits across Second Street and the UCO campus. The land was later purchased by the state. Edmond Mayor Dan O'Neil and UCO President Roger Webb both spoke at the ceremony on Thursday with the lieutenant governor.