Summary
In September 2021, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in a tent located in an unhoused encampment in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knoxville Police Department responded to the scene. The remains were taken to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center, where it was determined that the man was between the ages of 25 and 55 years old and stood between 5'4" and 5'7". Anthropologists concluded that both the cause and manner of death could not be definitively determined.
At the time of the man's discovery, he was wearing a plastic-faced Elgin watch, a blue Norelco drawstring bag, a beige fang pendant, a black glove, sunglasses with a purple frame and reading glasses. Among his belongings were black headphones, a red, white, and blue tent, deodorant, and numerous other items that ultimately provided no clues to his identity. 
In October 2021, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP85070. The case later became known as "The Old Man" or Knox County John Doe. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement investigators to identify the man, no matches were found, and the case went cold due to a lack of investigative leads.
In 2023, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas, to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown man. Othram successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to create a detailed genealogical profile. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted, leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. Reference DNA samples were collected from the potential relatives and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Dennis Lowe, born September 16, 1965.
The identification of Dennis Lowe represents the 18th case in the state of Tennessee where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Most recently, in Nashville, Tennessee, Ashley Fuller, whose remains were discovered in an abandoned house, was identified after four years.
Michael Vogen
Director of Case Management
Michael works with law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada on “unsolvable“ cases that can benefit from advanced DNA testing methods. He helps these agencies use cutting edge DNA sequencing and new forensic techniques to develop investigative leads for their cases.