The medical examiner’s office in New York City is continuing the difficult task of identifying remains recovered from the World Trade Center rubble. Just days before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, officials say they have identified the remains of two more people.
Dorothy Morgan and a man whose family has asked that his identity be withheld are the 1,646th and 1,647th victims of the 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attack to be identified. According to the OCME, these are the first new 9/11 victim identifications since October 2019.
According to the OCME, a total of 2,753 people died in the 2001 attack, with 40 percent of those victims still unidentified.
“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,” said Chief Medical Examiner, according to the OCME. “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.”
The ongoing DNA analysis of unidentified victims is the most extensive forensic investigation in US history. The OCME’s DNA laboratory recently adopted new technology, which will most likely result in more identifications, according to the OCME.
Officials are hopeful that recent advances will aid in the identification of more remains. They acknowledge, however, that some may never be identified. Nonetheless, the work continues.
