Genetic Genealogy Technology Offers Hope for Identifying 9/11 Victims
New forensic genetic genealogy technology brings hope to the families of 9/11 victims whose identities remain unknown despite the passing years.
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy technology is charting a new course in the process of identifying the remains of more than a thousand victims who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks but whose identities have not yet been determined.
A Quarter-Century Wait and Unknown Victims
Firefighter Dennis Scauso is among those who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11. Despite twenty-five years passing, his daughter Juliette Scauso holds only a damaged firefighter helmet belonging to her father.
New Forensic Genetic Genealogy Technology
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner announced last month that a previously unidentified victim's identity was reached using new technology. Angela Soler, director of forensic anthropology, stated that this method provides a complete genetic code reading thanks to whole-genome sequencing.
Data Obtained in Identification Efforts
In efforts carried out to identify the remains of the 2,753 victims who lost their lives at the World Trade Center following the attacks, the identities of 60 percent of the victims have been determined to date.
Mixed Emotions Among Families
While the new technology holds the potential to bring peace and answers to many families, some relatives like Juliette Scauso feel that an identification coming after twenty-five years could reopen old wounds.