A Long-Awaited Identification
Nearly 25 years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, New York City investigators have identified a woman killed at the World Trade Center using a first-of-its-kind DNA and genealogy technique. The adult woman, whose name is being withheld at her family’s request, is the first World Trade Center victim identified through forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG), according to New York City officials.
Her identification marks the 1,654th person identified from remains recovered after the attacks, which killed 2,753 people in New York City. Officials said the breakthrough came through a collaboration between the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) and the NYPD’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Squad. The technique pairs specialized DNA analysis with genealogical research to generate leads that are then confirmed through forensic testing.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement: "As we approach the 25th anniversary of the horrific September 11 attacks, we honor the nearly 3,000 people whose lives were stolen that day. We remain committed to the families who have spent 25 years waiting for answers."
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Graham called the method a "promising new addition" to the city’s long-running effort to identify those killed in the attacks. "This sacred commitment is propelled by our dedication to apply the most innovative scientific techniques," Graham said.
Announcement Timing and Details
The announcement of the identification was reported by some outlets as coming on Sunday and by others as coming on Monday. Fox News reported that New York City officials announced the identification on Sunday, while the Staten Island Advance said the announcement came from Mayor Mamdani and the OCME on Monday. The discrepancy may reflect differences in when the information was released to specific outlets or the timing of the official statement.
Julie Bolcer, deputy commissioner of public affairs and communications for New York City’s OCME, said in a statement emailed to Newsweek that the newly announced identification represents the 1,654th victim to be identified. Bolcer also noted that "Some 1,099 victims, 40 percent of those who died, remain unidentified," and that further information and forensic work on 9/11 cases would be released at a later time.
The Technique and Its Broader Potential
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy has emerged as a powerful tool in cold cases, allowing investigators to trace family connections from DNA evidence and identify people who might otherwise remain unknown. The same approach has been used in high-profile criminal cases, including identifying suspects through family-tree analysis and helping solve decades-old cold cases.
David Mittelman, chief executive officer of forensic technology company Othram, told Newsweek that there are likely between 50,000 and 75,000 unidentified human remains cases across the United States. He said many of those cases could potentially be solved using the same techniques now being applied to World Trade Center remains. "If we prioritized this work and resourced it properly, we wouldn't have all of these unidentified remains," he said. "It would be a very solvable problem."
Mittelman noted that Othram often works with the NYPD and has solved at least 20 cases within New York State, though he said he doesn’t know if Othram is responsible for the latest identification. Bolcer did not respond when asked if Othram contributed to this identification. Mittelman also estimated that a typical genetic genealogy case costs around $10,000.
Othram has worked on thousands of forensic genealogy cases in the United States and internationally, maintains a public tracker of solved cases, and has launched a video series documenting families who received answers.
Continued Efforts and Remaining Mysteries
Officials said the OCME continues to retest recovered remains and work with families to obtain DNA reference samples. The identification comes ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks, and city officials have said they will continue using new forensic technologies to provide answers to families still waiting.
At least one outlet reported that the identified woman is the first newly identified World Trade Center victim since August 2025. The same report said forensic experts are currently examining dozens of DNA profiles that could be suitable for genetic genealogy analysis.
About 1,099 victims, or 40% of those killed at the World Trade Center, remain unidentified. As the technology advances, the possibility of solving other long-standing cases grows, offering renewed hope for families across the country who have spent decades seeking closure.