Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, New York City officials have formally identified a World Trade Center victim using forensic investigative genetic genealogy for the first time in the history of the recovery effort, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Breakthrough Using Genetic Genealogy
The newly identified victim is an adult female whose family declined to publicly come forward, according to city officials. Her identification brings the total number of formally identified victims from the disaster to 1,651. Dr. Jason Graham, the city’s chief medical examiner, told ABC News that the application of genetic genealogy—which combines DNA testing with family tree research—represents a major milestone in the long-running identification process.
“It’s a breakthrough,” Dr. Graham said, noting that such a method was unimaginable a quarter-century ago because the technology did not exist at the time of the attacks. NYPD Det. Gregory Paduoano added that the new approach provides a promising future for resolving difficult cases, noting that the technology simply wasn’t available back then.
Did You Know? The World Trade Center recovery effort represents the largest mass murder in United States history and stands as the most complex forensic identification project ever undertaken in the country, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Future Prospects for Unidentified Remains
While forensic investigative genetic genealogy has previously helped police solve long-term unidentified cold cases, its application to the World Trade Center site is a recent development. Dr. Jennifer Odien, a forensic anthropologist in the medical examiner’s office, explained that officials are currently focusing on DNA profiles that do not match existing reference samples.
According to Dr. Odien, there are 47 profiles that may be ripe for identification using genetic genealogy. These profiles represent a small fraction of the nearly 1,100 World Trade Center victims—about 40% of the total—who remain unidentified a quarter-century after the attacks. City officials have pledged to continue utilizing new innovations to keep their commitment to the victims’ families.
Expert Insight: Applying forensic investigative genetic genealogy to decades-old DNA profiles demonstrates how modern technological advancements can breathe new life into historical investigations. While not every remaining unidentified sample is suitable for family tree matching, focusing on non-matching profiles provides a targeted pathway to potentially resolve dozens of remaining cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What method was used to identify the 1,651st victim?
According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the NYPD Detective Bureau, officials used forensic investigative genetic genealogy, which combines DNA testing with family tree research.
How many World Trade Center victims remain unidentified?
According to city officials, nearly 1,100 victims—about 40% of the total number killed—remain unidentified 25 years after the attacks.
How many DNA profiles are currently being targeted with genetic genealogy?
According to Dr. Jennifer Odien, there are 47 DNA profiles that may be ripe for identification using genetic genealogy.
How will ongoing advancements in forensic DNA technology shape the future of long-term recovery and identification efforts?
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