A victim of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has been identified nearly 25 years after her death using a cutting-edge forensic technique that combines DNA analysis with genealogical research. The woman, whose family declined to publicly share her name, became the first 9/11 victim identified through forensic investigative genetic genealogy, according to New York City officials, marking a major breakthrough in the decades-long effort to identify those killed at the World Trade Center. Officials say the new approach, which combines using family tree research and DNA testing, could help identify additional victims.
In a statement emailed to Newsweek, Julie Bolcer, deputy commissioner of public affairs and communications for New York City's Office of Chief Medical Examiner, said the newly announced identification represents the 1,654th victim of the World Trade Center attacks to be identified. "Some 1,099 victims, 40 percent of those who died, remain unidentified," Bolcer said, saying that more information about the identification and further forensic work on 9/11 cases would be released at a later time. Experts in forensic genetic genealogy say the implications extend well beyond 9/11.
David Mittelman, chief executive officer of forensic technology company Othram, told Newsweek there are likely between 50,000 and 75,000 unidentified human remains cases across the United States. Mittelman said many of those cases could potentially be solved using the same techniques now being applied to World Trade Center remains. "If we prioritized this work and resourced it properly, we wouldn't have all of these unidentified remains.
It would be a very solvable problem," he said. Mittelman told Newsweek he doesn't know if Othram is responsible for the latest identification but noted that they often work with the New York City Police Department and have solved at least 20 cases within the state. Bolcer did not respond when asked if Othram contributed to this case.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks on September 11, 2001, when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Although thousands of human remains were recovered from Ground Zero, the severe damage caused by the collapse of the towers made the identification process extraordinarily difficult. New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has continued testing remains as DNA technology has improved over the years.
Despite nearly 25 years having passed, the city's medical examiner has repeatedly pledged to continue the effort indefinitely. There may still be additional opportunities for identifications. ABC News reported that forensic experts are currently examining dozens of DNA profiles that could be suitable for genetic genealogy analysis.
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