Latest news with #KnoxCountyRegionalForensicCenter
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Overdose deaths down in 2024 for Knox and Anderson Counties, report finds
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Overdose deaths were down 36% in Knox County and 15% in Anderson County in 2024 according to a report released by the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. According to the report, 334 people died of an overdose in Knox County in 2024, compared to 519 in 2023. In Anderson County, 53 people died in 2024, compared to 62 in 2023. This was a sharper decrease than the previous year for both counties. $10,000 reward offered in 40-year-old Campbell County cold case 'There are some hard realities represented in this report, and we need to pay attention,' said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. 'It isn't all bad news, though, as we continue to see a downward trend in prescription opioid-related deaths in Regional Forensic Center jurisdictions, but we still have a long way to go.' KCRFC_DRD_Report_2024Download The most common drugs identified in drug-related deaths were fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Other common drugs identified in the deaths include methamphetamine, cocaine, xylazine and diphenhydramine. The report called methamphetamine 'the stimulant drug of choice in East Tennessee.' In 61% of Knox County's and 50% of Anderson County's overdose deaths, more than one drug was identified as responsible. In Knox County, drug-related deaths were most common among men ages 55 to 64. For Anderson County, men aged 45 to 54 were the most common victims. However, the sharpest increase was among people aged 64 to 74, the report said. Many factors could be responsible for this rise, including potentially 'a greater vulnerability due to age and preexisting medical conditions.' In Anderson County, there was also a small spike among the 15 to 24 age bracket. The report suggests closely monitoring this group. Overall, men represent about 66% of drug related deaths in the two counties, the report said. The report also highlighted a growing trend of intoxications happening at home (over half of cases) among people who live alone, which the report said reflects alienation and isolation in local communities. In 22% of Knox County drug deaths and 26% of Anderson County drug deaths, anxiety medication, anti-depressants and anti-psychotic medications were also found. White people represented around 85% of drug-related deaths, while Black people represented about 13.7%. The report said, 'In more urban areas, like Knoxville, the ratio of white to black overdose deaths has decreased due to the overall decrease in drug related deaths.' Decline in overdose deaths continues in Knox County amid outreach efforts 'The overdose epidemic continues to be a concern even with the drop in cases in Knox County, and across the nation,' said Chris Thomas, director of the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. Preliminary data indicates that drug-related deaths may continue trending downward, according to Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Darinka Mileusnic-Polchan. Other experts also predict decline. See the full annual report for the Knox County Regional Forensic Center here. The center serves as the medical examiner for Knox and Anderson counties and conducts autopsies for 21 other counties in Tennessee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
DNA technology could help identify remains found in Knoxville after nearly 40 years
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — After nearly four decades, DNA profiling and forensic genetic genealogy may help investigators find the name of a man found in a South Knoxville quarry. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, on September 21, 1985, a man's remains were discovered in a rock quarry in South Knoxville. It was estimated the man had been dead for a week. The case profile said the man's hair and eye color were unknown. What is NamUs? How a federal database helps solve East TN missing persons cases The man was estimated to be around 5'9″ tall and between the ages of 27 and 34 years old. A spokesperson for the Knox County Regional Forensic Center explained that the man was found wearing a 'Gooding Million Dollar Midway' shirt, and its possible that he may have been associated with the fair because it would have been in town around the time frame. The case was first investigated by Dr. William Bass the spokesperson explained. Bass is known around the world for his research because of his research on the decomposition of human bodies. In 1971, he came to the University of Tennessee and was on the medical examiner's staff, and his work ultimately led the university's Forensic Anthropology Facility, which many may know as the 'body farm.'. Multi-year rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail to cause weekday closures through November In 2017, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center took jurisdiction of the case. In many unidentified remains cases, officials will release a photos of a facial composite of what the person was believed to have looked like when they were alive, but in this case, the forensic center spokesperson said that was not possible because they did not receive the man's jaw from the University of Tennessee. Years later, the case may be one step closer to being solved. Recently, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center submitted the case for Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) through Othram, a Texas-based laboratory, after it was fully funded through grant funds. Othram specializes in DNA sequencing for FGG, which creates new leads for law enforcement by searching for potential relatives of a person based on DNA profiling. Lonely Bones: Stories of the Forgotten Dead One of the concerns when discussing older cases involving DNA is if the DNA sample's age may make it more difficult for an accurate profile to be developed. Earlier this month, the director of case management at Othram, Michael Vogen, explained to 6 News that while there are challenges, they have developed different techniques to help sort out the 'noise,' degradation and contamination to develop a profile similar to would be developed through a current day DNA test that involves filling a tube with saliva. In fact, Othram has had success in helping solve cases as old as the 1850s, he explained. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
Remains found in North Knoxville identified as missing woman last seen in 2022
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Remains discovered in North Knoxville near Fourth and Gill have been identified as those of a woman who went missing in June 2022. Erin C. Callahan's remains were found on August 16, 2022. The Knoxville Police Department and the Knox County Regional Forensic Center worked together to recover and examine her remains, which would not be identified for nearly three years. An anthropologist with the Knox County Regional Forensic Center determined the remains belonged to a woman estimated to be 4 feet, 10 inches tall to 5 feet, 5 inches, and between 30 and 50 years of age. TBI investigates death in Oliver Springs In March 2023, the Forensic Center contacted Othram, a Texas company specializing in DNA and forensic genealogy, to identify the remains through Forensic Genetic Genealogy. A year later, an autopsy technician at RFC found a profile for a person matching the details of the remains in the NamUs database. This database is the only national repository for missing, unidentified and unclaimed persons' cases. Records were obtained for the missing person, and a comparative skeletal analysis was performed. The remains were determined to be Callahan's. According to NamUs, she was 47 when she went missing in June 2022. Lonely Bones: Stories of the Forgotten Dead 'The Knox County Regional Forensic Center is grateful for its hardworking team that doesn't quit working for the unidentified,' said Chris Thomas, the Center's Chief Administrative Officer. 'We want the families to have closure.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
