NIST Transfers Champlain Towers Collapse Evidence to Local Police, Aims for Draft Report in 2026

Proof collected from the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South condos in Surfside, Fla., has been transferred to the custody of the Miami-Dade Police Dept., in keeping with federal investigators wanting into the causes of the collapse that killed almost 100 folks in 2021.

The Nationwide Institute of Requirements and Know-how (NIST) introduced the milestone Nov. 21, saying the switch grew to become doable as soon as it had accomplished its intensive overview, measurement and testing of crucial constructing proof extracted from the collapse web site. Investigation work continues to be ongoing, with a projected launch date of 2026 for the draft report. 

Judith Mitrani-Reiser, investigative lead, says within the announcement that the NIST crew was onsite in Surfside inside 48 hours of the collapse, and has labored in collaboration with Miami-Dade Police Dept. (MDPD) to determine and protect potential proof that would clarify the collapse.

“Since then, we’ve carried out intensive testing of concrete slabs, columns and reinforcing metal in order that we might perceive the situation of the constructing and the forces appearing on it on the time of the tragedy,” she says.

5 days after NIST arrived on web site, it introduced it might conduct an investigation below the Nationwide Building Security Workforce Act, giving it the authority to analyze constructing failures and set up probably causes of a constructing failure and suggest particular enhancements to codes and practices.

NIST investigation, the announcement factors out, are truth discovering efforts, and NIST isn’t licensed to search out fault, duty or negligence by its investigations.

Investigation Affiliate Lead Glenn Bell says greater than 600 items of proof from the location have been secured, and in keeping with the announcement, NIST collaborated with police to develop steerage for first responders on which constructing parts could be necessary to earmark for potential investigation into the reason for the collapse.

Miami-Dade’s Murder Bureau, the Miami-Dade Fireplace Dept. and others cooperated with buildings specialists and contractors onsite to develop procedures to protect potential proof, whereas distant sensing helped decide the place that proof was positioned.

Instantly following the collapse, proof was in custody of the Miami-Dade Murder Bureau as a part of its demise investigation. NIST was supplied entry to the proof, and when it was transferred to NIST custody in January 2022, MDPD additionally maintained entry to it.

NIST says bodily proof on this case is particularly necessary given the shortage of video displaying the collapse, and the shortcoming of researchers to find as-built drawings for the Champlain Towers South.

Investigation venture groups proceed their work, with the purpose of finishing technical work in 2025 and releasing the draft report in spring 2026, a revised date introduced in a September update following problems with interviews, public information entry, personnel and sophisticated testing added six to seven months to the schedule.

One other update in March included the conclusion that the condominium’s pool deck failed greater than 4 minutes forward of the collapse of the 12-story construction.