Texas DNA lab uses innovative technology to solve 18 cold cases in East Tennessee
Texas DNA lab uses innovative technology to solve 18 cold cases in East Tennessee
Publish Date: 2026-05-18 18:01:00
Source Domain: www.wvlt.tv
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – A Texas DNA lab has solved 18 cold cases in East Tennessee and more than 600 nationwide using technology unavailable anywhere else.
Othram, a Houston-based forensic lab, uses what it calls “identity inference” and “forensic grade genome sequencing” to identify unknown victims and suspects. The company said it remains the only lab in the world with this capability.
The lab is working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on the state’s Unidentified Human Remains Initiative. Each case costs about $13,000 to solve.
How the technology works
Othram uses forensic genetic genealogy, comparing DNA structures to ancestral DNA databases to build family trees and make identifications.
Chris Thomas with Knox County Regional Forensic Center said the technology changed investigations when Othram introduced it about five years ago.
“When Othram came along, and we first met with them four or five years ago, they introduced us to forensic genetic genealogy and how they can use ancestral DNA databases to compare DNA structures to make one-on-one comparisons to a family tree,” Thomas said. “And that just completely changed the game for us.”
One case involves an unidentified woman found dead in Melton Hill Lake two decades ago, known only as the Lady in the Lake. A small bone sample was sent to Othram’s Texas lab for analysis.
Thomas said identifying victims is the first step in solving cases.
“Finding out who she is will start that building block,” Thomas said.
Rapid growth
The company started nine years ago with four employees and now has 125. Co-founders David and Kristin Mittleman left medical science careers to start the lab.
In its first year, Othram worked five cold cases. The lab now takes on five new cold cases every 15 minutes.
Kristin Mittleman said the lab solves every case it runs.
The company has a full artificial intelligence department, trains law enforcement and operates DNA Solve, the nation’s largest DNA bank. It is the…
