Terror Incidents in New York: Identification of Three Victims' Remains Confirmed - New York tragedy: identifications made of three deceased bombing victims
Over two decades after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, ongoing advancements in DNA technology and forensic methods have led to the positive identification of three additional victims in 2025. This brings the total number of identified victims to 1,653 out of 2,753 killed.
The city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed these new identifications, which were made possible by improved DNA tests on tiny fragments found in the World Trade Center rubble over 20 years ago. These advances have been crucial in identifying previously unidentified victims.
Modern forensic DNA analysis methods allow for identification from highly degraded and limited biological samples recovered in 2001 and 2002. Authorities actively seek DNA from relatives, often re-contacting families years later, and compare it with preserved remains, facilitating identifications that were previously impossible.
As DNA technology evolves, forensic scientists retest previously unrecoverable or unidentified fragments to extract genetic information. In some cases, genetic material from personal items like hairbrushes has been used to generate reference profiles for cross-matching with remains.
Dr. Jason Graham, the Chief Medical Examiner, stated that each new identification is a testament to the power of science and the enduring support for families, despite the passage of time. He emphasized that the work continues to honor the deceased.
The remains of unidentified victims are stored in a specially secured, non-public area at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the new World Trade Center. The names of these three victims, whose identities have been known for years, have been inscribed on the 9/11 Memorial in New York City.
Approximately 1,100 victims still remain unidentified, but ongoing technological progress continues to enable new identifications. This process is painstaking and lengthy, but it serves as a reminder of the commitment to identifying victims and providing closure for their families.
In the ongoing pursuit for identification of 9/11 victims, New York's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed three additional identifications in 2025, with the use of top news-worthy advancements in war-and-conflicts technology, such as forensic DNA testing. These breakthroughs have not only been featured in headlines of the world but have also been crucial in revealing previously unidentified victims from the World Trade Center disaster. Furthermore, drama unfolds in politics and crime-and-justice as authorities continue to seek DNA from relatives to compare with preserved remains, ensuring that general-news about new identifications are a testament to the resilience of the people and the enduring support for the families who lost their loved ones.
