KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Genealogy testing is helping the Knox County Regional Forensic Center identify unknown remains and close cold cases.

The center has identified several individuals through forensic genetic genealogy, including Elbert Louis Brown, Erin Callahan and John Troutman . All were previously classified as unidentified.

“Being able to give these people a name and identity allows their families to have closure,” Chris Thomas said, with the Forensic Center.

The latest identification is Gerald John Forsman, who's remains were found in Knoxville in 2020.

“So unfortunately, he remained here as an unidentified remain for all those years,” Thomas said.

The center sent evidence to Othram , a private DNA lab in Texas. The lab matched and linked Forsman’s DNA to a sibling.

“In th

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