The Office of Chief Medical Examiner has identified a new World Trade Center victim, the 1,654th person identified from the September 11 attacks, using forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) for the first time. Mayor Mamdani and OCME Identity Announce New Identification of World Trade Center Victim Using Breakthrough Forensic Technique represents the first application of genetic genealogy to 9/11 remains, combining advanced DNA testing with genealogical research to identify an adult woman whose name is withheld at her family’s request.
Mayor Mamdani and Office of Chief Medical Examiner Announce New Identification of World Trade Center Victim Using Breakthrough Forensic Technique
The announcement marks a milestone in the decades-long effort to identify every person lost in the September 11 attacks. The newly identified victim is an adult woman whose name is being withheld at her family’s request. She is the first 9/11 victim identified through forensic investigative genetic genealogy and the 1,654th victim identified overall from the 2,753 people who died at the World Trade Center in New York City, according to ABC News reporting on the identification. This is a significant development in the ongoing efforts of OCME Identity.
Leadership statements from New York City’s mayor and chief medical examiner emphasize a dual focus: applying advanced science and maintaining a long-term commitment to providing clarity and closure to families more than two decades after the attacks. This identification demonstrates that forensic science continues to evolve, bringing new tools to one of the most challenging identification efforts in history.
What Forensic Technique Identified the World Trade Center Victim and What Makes It a Breakthrough?
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) is the breakthrough technique used to identify this 9/11 victim. FIGG combines advanced DNA testing of highly degraded remains with genealogical analysis of distant relatives’ DNA profiles, allowing investigators to build family trees and narrow down the victim’s identity in partnership with the NYPD Detective Bureau.
This approach differs from traditional DNA identification, which relies on matching remains directly to reference samples from close family members or personal items. When no direct family reference samples are available, traditional methods stall. FIGG bridges that gap by comparing DNA profiles to public or consumer DNA databases where permitted, then reconstructing family relationships through genealogical research.
The technique has been used successfully in high-profile criminal cases such as the Gilgo Beach homicides, but applying it to mass-disaster victim identification represents a new frontier. OCME officials and outside experts describe genetic genealogy as a logical next step after next-generation sequencing: once high-quality DNA profiles are generated, genetic genealogy can extend the search beyond immediate family to distant relatives who may have uploaded DNA profiles to databases, as Newsday reported on OCME’s evolving DNA efforts.
What makes FIGG a breakthrough for 9/11 identifications:
- Works when no direct family reference samples exist
- Extends the search to distant relatives through genealogical databases
- Combines NGS-generated profiles with traditional genealogical research
- Has been proven in criminal cases but is now applied to mass-disaster victims
How Many WTC Victims Have Been Identified Using New Forensic Methods and How Many Remain Unidentified?
As of 2026, 1,654 of the 2,753 people who died at the World Trade Center have been identified, meaning roughly 60% have been confirmed through forensic science. The remaining approximately 40%, roughly 1,099 victims, are still without a DNA match, according to NPR’s reporting on September 11 identification efforts.
Over the past several years, OCME has steadily increased identifications using advanced DNA techniques:
| Year | Milestone | Method |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,594 identified | Traditional DNA matching |
| 2023-2025 | 1,648th and 1,649th identified | Advanced DNA techniques |
| 2025 | 1,650th (John Ballantine Niven) | Next-generation sequencing |
| August 2025 | 1,651st, 1,653rd (Ryan Fitzgerald, Barbara Keating, unnamed woman) | Advanced DNA techniques |
| 2026 | 1,654th (unnamed woman) | Forensic genetic genealogy (FIGG) |
DNA has been central to the identification effort from the start. By April 2005, 1,594 of 2,749 presumed victims had been identified, with DNA contributing to 89% of identifications and serving as the sole method in 86% of cases, as noted in the NYC official announcement of prior identifications.
What Is Mayor Mamdani’s Role in the Medical Examiner’s Office and How Long Did Identification Take?
Mayor Mamdani serves as the mayor of New York City, which oversees the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) as a city agency. The mayor does not directly perform forensic work but announces significant identifications alongside the chief medical examiner, reflecting the city’s commitment to transparency and public acknowledgment of each identified victim.
The identification of this victim took more than two decades, reflecting the extreme degradation of the remains and the sequential development of new forensic technologies. OCME has been working continuously since 2001, and this particular identification required years of discussion about using genetic genealogy for World Trade Center remains before the technique was successfully applied.
The timeline follows a pattern: each new identification often depends on technological advances that did not exist when the attacks occurred. Next-generation sequencing, advanced bone-processing methods, and now FIGG were developed and refined over years before being applied to 9/11 remains. The process for this victim involved:
- Initial recovery and storage of remains
- Repeated testing attempts using available technology
- Development of new DNA profiles through NGS
- Application of FIGG when no direct family reference was available
- Genealogical research with NYPD partnership
- Final confirmation and family notification
The announcement pattern follows precedent set by previous mayoral administrations. Previous mayors announced WTC victim identifications alongside Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Graham, as documented in the NYC OCME official announcement page. Mayor Mamdani continues this tradition, highlighting that the city maintains its long-term commitment to identifying every victim.
What DNA Technology Does the Chief Medical Examiner Use Now and Can It Identify Remains From 20 Years Ago?
The OCME DNA laboratory now uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) and advanced bone-processing methods that can recover usable DNA from extremely small and degraded fragments, including remains that are over 20 years old. These techniques have enabled the development of dozens of new DNA profiles from previously unusable remains.
Yes, this forensic method can identify remains from 20 years ago, as demonstrated by the ongoing 9/11 identifications. The key advance is that NGS can extract and sequence DNA from fragments that earlier methods could not process. Once a usable profile is generated, FIGG can extend the search to genealogical databases if no direct family references exist.
OCME has recently reported developing about 37 to 40 new DNA profiles in one recent year from previously untestable remains. Budget and planning documents from the New York City Council’s OCME budget filing indicate continued investment in DNA, molecular genetics, and forensic technologies, suggesting OCME intends to scale and refine FIGG and related methods for ongoing 9/11 work as well as other unidentified decedents in the city.
How Does the Office of Chief Medical Examiner Store WTC Remains and What Challenges Do They Face Today?
The OCME stores World Trade Center remains under carefully controlled conditions designed to preserve any remaining DNA for future testing as technology advances. Remains are kept in secure, climate-controlled facilities, and the agency periodically retests fragments as new methods become available.
The challenges of identifying 9/11 victims today are substantial:
- Extreme degradation: After more than two decades, many remains are severely degraded, with DNA fragmented beyond what early methods could process
- Tiny fragments: Many remains consist of extremely small bone fragments, limiting the DNA available for extraction
- No family references: Some victims have no direct family reference samples on file, making traditional matching impossible
- Contamination: Environmental exposure from the collapse and recovery process complicates DNA analysis
- Database limitations: FIGG depends on the availability of DNA profiles in consumer or public databases, and privacy rules may restrict access
Despite these challenges, OCME continues to develop new profiles and pursue identifications. The roughly 40% of victims who remain unidentified represent the most difficult cases, fragments too degraded for earlier methods, with no direct family references available.
Why Are Some WTC Victims Still Unidentified After So Long and Has This Technique Been Used for Other Victims?
FIGG has been used successfully in criminal cases like the Gilgo Beach homicides, but this 9/11 identification is the first application to a mass-disaster victim. The technique demonstrates that FIGG can bridge the gap for victims where no direct family reference samples exist, not just for criminal perpetrators.
Some WTC victims remain unidentified after more than two decades for several interconnected reasons:
- DNA degradation: The intense heat and pressure of the collapses, combined with time, has fragmented DNA in many remains beyond recovery
- No recoverable remains: Some victims may have no recoverable remains at all, making identification physically impossible
- No family references: Without direct family DNA samples, traditional matching cannot work, FIGG addresses this gap but depends on database availability
- Technological limits: Each advance unlocks new profiles, but some remains may require methods not yet developed
Forensic and industry analysts expect FIGG to be used more frequently in complex identification scenarios, including mass disasters, cold cases, and unidentified remains. However, its expansion depends on legal frameworks, privacy rules around DNA databases, and sustained funding for specialized genealogical and bioinformatics expertise.
FAQ
What is FIGG?
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) is a technique that combines advanced DNA testing with genealogical research. It compares DNA profiles to public or consumer databases to identify distant relatives, then builds family trees to narrow down an individual’s identity.
Who is the newly identified 9/11 victim?
The victim is an adult woman whose name is being withheld at her family’s request. She is the 1,654th victim identified from the World Trade Center attacks.
How many 9/11 victims are still unidentified?
Approximately 40% of the 2,753 people who died at the World Trade Center remain unidentified, which translates to roughly 1,099 victims.
How does FIGG differ from traditional DNA identification?
Traditional DNA identification matches remains directly to reference samples from close family members or personal items. FIGG extends the search to distant relatives through genealogical databases, making it useful when no direct family references exist.
Has genetic genealogy been used for 9/11 victims before?
No. This is the first time FIGG has been used to identify a World Trade Center victim. Previous identifications relied on direct DNA matching and next-generation sequencing.
What technology does OCME use for DNA analysis?
The OCME DNA laboratory uses next-generation sequencing (NGS), advanced bone-processing methods, and now FIGG. NGS can recover DNA from extremely small and degraded fragments.
Will more 9/11 victims be identified using FIGG?
Forensic analysts expect FIGG to be used more frequently for complex identifications, but its expansion depends on legal frameworks, privacy rules, and funding for genealogical expertise.
How long has OCME been working on 9/11 identifications?
OCME has been working continuously since 2001. DNA-based methods have been central from the outset, contributing to 89% of identifications by 2005.
Conclusion
The announcement that Mayor Mamdani and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner have identified a new World Trade Center victim using forensic investigative genetic genealogy represents a significant milestone in the decades-long effort to bring closure to 9/11 families. The application of FIGG to mass-disaster victim identification opens a new pathway for the roughly 40% of victims who remain unidentified.
For families still waiting, the message is clear: the city has not stopped. Each technological advance, from next-generation sequencing to genetic genealogy, brings new possibilities for identification. OCME continues to retest remains, develop new DNA profiles, and pursue every available method.
Actionable next steps:
- Families of 9/11 victims who have not provided DNA reference samples should contact OCME to do so
- Individuals who have used consumer DNA testing services should consider whether their profiles could help genealogical investigations
- Those interested in supporting 9/11 families can connect with community resources like the Center for Family Life and Recovery for support services
- Public awareness of forensic science advances helps sustain funding and support for this critical work, similar to how state-level public health funding announcements keep important health initiatives in the public eye
The commitment to identify every victim remains unwavering, even as the science evolves to meet the challenge.
