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9/11 victim identified using advanced forensic genealogy technique
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

9/11 victim identified using advanced forensic genealogy technique

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • New York authorities have identified a victim of the September 11, 2001 attacks using investigative genetic genealogy.
  • This marks the first 9/11 victim identified through this advanced forensic technique, which has solved other high-profile cold cases.
  • The victim's family requested their name be withheld, and authorities emphasize their commitment to identifying the remaining 1,099 unidentified victims.

New York authorities announced Monday the identification of a victim from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks using an innovative forensic technique. This marks the first time investigative genetic genealogy has been employed to identify a victim of the World Trade Center attacks.

The victim, an adult woman whose family has requested her name remain private, is the 1,654th person identified among the 2,753 victims of the attacks. However, 1,099 individuals, approximately 40%, remain unidentified. The new identification was made possible through a collaboration between the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the New York Police Department.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani highlighted the city's ongoing commitment to the families who have waited decades for answers. "The local authorities remain committed to the families who have spent 25 years waiting for answers about their loved ones lost in the attack," he stated, commending the use of "cutting-edge technology" for this purpose.

The local authorities remain committed to the families who have spent 25 years waiting for answers about their loved ones lost in the attack.

— Zohran MamdaniThe Mayor of New York emphasized the city's dedication to identifying all victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Chief Medical Examiner Jason Graham explained that the investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) technique is now a key tool for his office. He noted that combined with the NYPD's genetic genealogy team, they are "uncovering leads that would not have otherwise been possible." This method merges specialized DNA technologies with genealogical research to generate identification leads, which the medical examiner's office then works to confirm.

This same FIGG technique has been instrumental in solving numerous criminal cold cases in recent years, including the identification and capture of the "Golden State Killer" in 2018. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner also reported identifying three other individuals recently using FIGG, new DNA samples from relatives, and evidence from remains found since 2001.

uncovering leads that would not have otherwise been possible.

— Jason GrahamThe Chief Medical Examiner described the effectiveness of the investigative genetic genealogy technique.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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