Man Killed in 9/11 Attacks Is Identified by DNA Testing – New York Times

The remains of a man who was killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center have been positively identified, the New York City medical examiners office announced on Monday, amid continuing efforts to return victims remains to their loved ones.

The man, whose name was withheld by officials at his familys request, was the first Sept. 11 victim to be identified in more than two years.

Recent improvements to how DNA is extracted and tested helped confirm the mans identity late last month after years of negative results, the medical examiners office said Monday. He was the 1,641st person to be positively identified of the 2,753 people killed when the twin towers were destroyed.

Dr. Barbara Sampson, the citys chief medical examiner, said forensic scientists had continued to test the remains as more advanced methods had become available. The vast majority of named victims were identified using DNA or a combination of techniques, according to city data. Positive identification of the remains, which are mostly bone fragments, allows victims families to finally claim what is left of their loved ones.

This ongoing work is vital because with each new identification, we are able to bring answers to families affected by tremendous loss, Dr. Sampson said.

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Man Killed in 9/11 Attacks Is Identified by DNA Testing - New York Times