State-of-the-art mortuary opened

Members of the Met's forensics unit demonstrated the new facilities

The home secretary has opened a state-of-the-art forensic mortuary in central London.

The £783,800 facility in Westminster is the first of its kind in the capital and will be used exclusively for the post-mortem exams of suspicious deaths.

It can store up to 102 bodies, so it is suitable for mass fatalities, and features a bio-hazard post-mortem room.

The mortuary, called the Iain West Forensic Suite, is an extension to the existing Westminster Public Mortuary.

The facility also has a CCTV viewing area with a live link to the post mortem room so senior investigating officers can watch forensic pathologists at work.

It will make a big difference to us Det Ch Insp Tony Nash

Det Ch Insp Tony Nash, of the Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Serious Crime Directorate, said: "With issues of DNA and fabric transfer, the less people present, the less chance of contamination and the stronger the evidence is.

"It will make a big difference to us."

Members of the Metropolitan Police's forensics unit demonstrated the new facilities to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, using a mannequin based on the scenario of a victim who had been shot and stamped upon in an attack.

Officers used mobile x-ray machines to show how they can track the trajectory of bullets and employed fluorescent light to identify training imprints.

Jacqui Smith unveiled a plaque at the new forensic mortuary

Ms Smith said: "Through investment we have been able to put in this facility to enable these highly skilled people - the police and forensic pathologists - to carry out their important work in identifying and solving crime."

Westminster Coroner Dr Paul Knapman, whose court is attached to the mortuary, said: "The upgrade to a forensic mortuary is a welcome reflection of the more sophisticated scientific techniques employed in homicide investigations these days.

"There would have been a coroner in this area dealing with murders for around 800 years, so it is completely appropriate for Westminster to be at the forefront of forensic pathology."

The facility has been funded by the Home Office and will be maintained by Westminster City Council.