YA Group recently celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art laboratory facility outside Seattle. This purchase significantly expands our forensic, materials, and investigative capabilities.
The new Seattle-area operation brings more than 25,000 square feet of laboratory, evidence, and office space into YA’s national footprint. The facility spans three buildings and houses advanced testing labs, dedicated evidence processing areas, conference rooms, and a secure evidence warehouse – positioning YA to handle complex investigations from intake through analysis under one roof.
Cutting-Edge Equipment, In-House Expertise
The facility is equipped with a broad suite of calibrated testing instruments capable of examining nearly any material recovered from a loss site or involved in a product investigation. This includes advanced systems for structural, mechanical, chemical, and microscopic analyses—tools essential for answering complex questions in product liability, construction defect, electrical failures, and fire investigations.
By bringing these capabilities in-house, YA can now perform comprehensive lab analyses internally, reducing turnaround times, improving chain-of-custody control, and delivering more efficient, data-driven insights to clients.
A Deep Bench of New Technical Talent
In addition to the laboratory, a multidisciplinary group of laboratory technicians, an evidence manager, a chemist, mechanical and electrical engineers, and product testing consultants have joined YA Group. This team brings extensive experience analyzing material properties to identify causes of failure, corrosion, degradation, aging, and other performance-impacting conditions across metals, polymers, ceramics, concrete, and more.
Three highly experienced fire investigators also joined the group, expanding YA’s ability to determine fire cause and origin with scientific precision. Michelle Couture manages the Seattle lab team, while Jonathan Contreras, a seasoned materials scientist, leads the lab itself.
A Strategic Milestone for YA Group
The Seattle lab represents a major milestone in YA’s continued growth in forensic engineering, materials science, and technical investigation. Centralizing lab capabilities under YA’s umbrella enhances consistency, improves responsiveness, and strengthens the company’s ability to support complex claims across industries.
As YA continues expanding, the Seattle facility positions our team to serve clients with greater depth, speed, and analytical rigor than ever before.