TWO victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the Word Trade Center were identified as the nation prepares to recognize the 20th anniversary of the tragedy that killed 2,753 victims.
Dorothy Morgan, of Hempstead, and a man whose family asked to remain anonymous, were identified through DNA testing of the now 1,106 victims who still remain unidentified.
'NEVER FORGET'
“Twenty years ago, we made a promise to the families of World Trade Center victims to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to identify their loved ones, and with these two new identifications, we continue to fulfill that sacred obligation,” according to a statement released by New York City's chief medical examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson.
“No matter how much time passes since September 11, 2001, we will never forget, and we pledge to use all the tools at our disposal to make sure all those who were lost can be reunited with their families.”
Morgan, 47, worked on the 94th floor for Marsh & McLennan, the insurance company.
"Shocking, I didn't expect it after all this time," her daughter Nikiah Morgan told WABC.
Her company also lost 295 employees and 63 other contractors and clients in the attack.
The unidentified man was confirmed through testing remains from the ground zero rubble recovered in 2001, 2002, and 2006.
The two are the first known victims since FDNY firefighter Michael Haub in October 2019, according to the Washington Post.
'NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING'
The Medical Examiner’s Office lab made the breakthrough by using an advanced DNA technique called Next-Generation Sequencing.
“More sensitive and rapid than conventional DNA techniques, next-generation sequencing has been used by the U.S. military to identify the remains of missing American servicemembers,” the statement confirmed.
“We continue to push the science out of necessity to make more identifications,” said Mark Desire, assistant director of the OCME Department of Forensic Biology and manager of the World Trade Center DNA Identification Team.
“The commitment today is as strong as it was in 2001.”
Efforts never quit identifying the victims of deadly attacks which witnessed commercial airliners hijacked and crash and then level the Twin Towers in Lower Manhattan.
Some 48 victims have been identified using dental X-rays, 15 were identified by others viewing their corpses, seven were named using objects and clothing on their person, 33 using fingerprints, 9 using photos and 3 using other methods, the Daily Mail reported, citing the September 11 Families Association data.
TATTOOS & PERSONAL EFFECTS
There are an estimated 7,882 unidentified victim fragments being preserved in a 2,500- square-foot repository on bedrock between the two footprints of the Twin Towers at the National September 11 Memorial Complex, the publication reported.
A total of 21,906 fragments were recovered.
Other clues to help verify 633 victims’ identities include tattoos and personal effects that helped pair with DNA testing
By far the most names found, some 800, were done so through advanced DNA testing.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at [email protected] or call 212 416 4552.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS
Source: Read Full Article