Lubbock County is constructing a brand-new, state-of-the-art Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) to replace its previous operation housed in leased space at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The new purpose-built facility centralizes and modernizes forensic services under one roof. It includes administrative offices, evidence handling and technical support spaces, a dedicated recovery area, and a significantly expanded morgue with capacity for more than 200 refrigerated and 80 frozen remains. A specifically designed autopsy suite will feature eight fully equipped stations with adjustable autopsy tables and advanced body-cooling systems, providing the flexibility and durability required for high-volume forensic work.
Medical Examiners’ offices, like many facilities in the public safety sector, must meet rigorous technical, operational, and security criteria to maintain accreditation. While carefully addressing these strict requirements, the design team also envisioned a space that supports the people who work there every day, maximizing quality of life, safety, and workflow efficiency for staff who serve their community under demanding conditions.
Beyond serving Lubbock County, the facility is designed as a premier regional resource, capable of providing forensic autopsy and pathology services to counties across West Texas and potentially eastern New Mexico. Overall, the new Medical Examiner’s Office represents a long-term investment in public safety infrastructure, restoring public trust, improving efficiency, ensuring accreditation standards are met, and future-proofing forensic services for decades to come.
