APSU Professor Collaborates with Tennessee Law Enforcement to Solve Cold Cases

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — In Tennessee's cold case investigations, law enforcement has discovered a surprising collaborator in Dr. Daniel Frederick from Austin Peay State University. Utilizing ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology, Frederick assists in identifying potential burial sites from cases spanning decades. With a background in paleontology, he has provided pivotal support to various agencies, such as the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and local sheriff’s offices in Wayne, Robertson, and Rutherford counties, blending geological expertise with criminal inquiries. Frederick emphasizes that the process differs significantly from what popular media portray. “We’re not seeing bones, contrary to what you might see on TV,” he explained. Instead, they look for soil disturbances indicative of excavation. The GPR technology can penetrate 6 to 7 feet into Middle Tennessee’s clay-rich soil, aiding searches for unmarked graves. Recently, he assisted with a 20-year-old murder case in Robertson County. Despite not yielding results, Frederick’s work helped streamline search efforts.