Second 9/11 victim identified with breakthrough genetic genealogy, NYC officials say

Second 9/11 victim identified with breakthrough genetic genealogy
About 40% of the 2,753 victims killed in the attacks have yet to be identified.
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Thursday, October 15, 2026 10:30AM

NEW YORK CITY -- A second victim of the September 11 attacks has been identified with breakthrough genetic genealogy, which combines DNA testing with family tree research, according to the NYC Medical Examiner's Office.

The new technique of forensic investigative genetic genealogy was first used to identify an adult female victim in August.

The new total of formally identified victims from the 9/11 attacks in 2001 is 1,655. About 40 percent of the 2,753 victims killed in the attacks have yet to be identified.

Forensic investigative genetic genealogy has helped the police solve long-term unidentified cold cases. More recently, the medical examiner's office and the police department applied it to World Trade Center identification efforts.

The second victim identified using this technology is an adult woman. Her name has not been released at the request of her family.

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