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The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 have shocked and saddened the country. The City of New York, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the New York City Police Department recognize the grief and sorrow felt by family and friends of victims. Many families want a final and certain answer that their loved ones were lost in the attack. It is our collective goal to help families by identifying as many victims as possible. In many cases, DNA testing is the best method to identify victims. To do this, the New York City medical examiner must matched the DNA from the remains found at the World Trade Center site to DNA known to be from a victim or the victim’s relatives. That means we need to collect DNA samples from family members and from the personal items or medical specimens from victims.
What to expect if your Loved One is Identified: 3/20/2002
Recovery Information :
Release Form if a Loved One is Identified: Below you will find a form that you will have to fill out in the event that your Loved One is identified. The form outlines options we have in the event that additional Remains are found and identified. The options are as follows:
If you would like to be notified at a particular time in the day or would like to designate an alternative representative to be notified in the event of an identification the Medical Examiner encourages updating your information by calling the DNA Hotline.
Funeral Home Once the next of in have been informed of an identification of remain, they can then contact a funeral home to have their loved one’s remains picked up for burial or cremation. The funeral home will need the case number given to the family by the police. At the funeral home, the next of kin will also be asked to complete a Release Authorization form. This form specifies the family’s wishes with regards to any remains that may be identified in the future. Notification of additional remains is done by phone to the family or to the funeral home. At the time of an identification, we encourage you to contact the Medical Examiner’s office to discuss your options and address any questions you may have. If you have any questions regarding the identification or notification process, contact the DNA Hotline at 212-447-7884.
Questions regarding the collection of property can be addressed to:
Actual Form Shown Below:
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER 520 FIRST AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10016 CHARLES S. HIRSCH, MD CHIEF MEDICAL
EXAMINER TELEPHONE: 212-779-1710
FAX: 212-779-1223 24HR # 212-447-2030 THE NYC Official web site www.nyc.gov RELEASE AUTHORIZATION
NAME
OF DECEASED: _________________________________________ ME # __________________________________ IN
THE EVENT ANY ADDITIONAL TISSUES (S) ARE RECOVERD IN THE FUTURE AND ARE
IDENTIFIED AS BELONGING TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED DECEASED, I/WE REQUESTE THE
FOLLOWING: 1.
[ ]
I/WE DO NOT WISH TO BE NOTIFIED. I/WE
ARE AUTHORIZING OFFICIALS TO DISPOSE OF SAID TISSUE(S) BY METHODS DEEMED
APPROPRIATE BY SAID OFFICIALS. 2.
[ ]
I/WE WISH TO BE NOTIFIED ANY TIME ADDITIONAL TISSUE(S) IS IDENTIFIED. 3.
[ ]
I/WE WISH TO BE NOTIFIED OF ALL ADDITIONAL TISSUES
ONE TIME AFTER THE MEDICAL EXAMINER DEEMS IT UNLIKELY THAT FURTHER TISSUE WILL
BE IDENTIFIED. FOR
OPTIONS 2 OR 3, PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
A. [
] I/WE WISH TO BE NOTIFIED
PERSONALLY ___________________________________________________________
NAME AND PHONE NUMBER
B. [
] I/WE WISH NOTIFICATION
THROUGH OUR FUNERAL DIRECTOR ________________________________________
NAME AND PHONE NUMBER
_____________________________________________________________________________________
NAME AND PHONE NUMBER CONTINUED --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I/WE
CERTIFY THAT I/WE HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS RELEASE AUTHORIZATION.
I/WE FURTHER STATE THAT I/WE ARE THE NEXT OF KIN, OR REPRESENT THE NEXT
OF KIN AND AM/ARE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED , AND/OR CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
BURIAL AND/OR FINAL DISPOSITION OF ABOVE SAID DECEASED. SIGNED:
_______________________________
RELATIONSHIP TO DECEASED: ______________________________________________ PRINT
NAME: __________________________
DATE SIGNED: _______________
TIME: ___________________________________ ADDRESS:
_____________________________________________________________________________
PHONE: __________________________ SIGNED:
_______________________________
RELATIONSHIP TO DECEASED: ______________________________________________ PRINT
NAME: __________________________
DATE SIGNED: _______________
TIME: ___________________________________ ADDRESS:
_____________________________________________________________________________
PHONE: __________________________
Medical Examiner's DNA Help Hotline Unfortunately, in some instances, the personal articles submitted did not produce conclusive DNA profiles, and we now must collect more DNA material. We also need samples from the families that have not yet submitted material for analysis. The OCME has prepared a list of those victims who do not have a usable DNA sample on file, and we have established a DNA hot-line number for families to call. A trained investigator will interview callers and will make an appointment to collect samples. The OCME DNA Hotline number is (212-447-7884), 9 a.m. to 9p.m., seven days a week.
DNA HOTLINE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 1. Q) I submitted samples for DNA months ago. When I called the DNA hotline, I was told they don’t have any samples from me listed. What happened to them? An enormous volume of samples were submitted to the Police Department and many other agencies, since Sept 11, 2001. Some of the samples examined had no extractable DNA. These samples were never listed. 2. Q) I called the hotline and was told that samples I submitted did not yield DNA. Why didn’t anyone contact me earlier to let me know that I needed to submit more samples? The process of DNA extraction can take weeks and at times even months. Some samples required more than one attempt at extraction. It is only over the last few weeks that our office has been able gather data allowing us to tell most families whether or not we require more DNA. Time was also required to create the database and hotline phone bank we are using to book appointments with families. 3. Q) Remains were identified for my family member. Will you use DNA to identify any future remains? Yes. 4. Q) Do you take DNA samples from the remains you find at the World Trade Center? Yes. All recovered remains are sampled for DNA. 5. Q) If I submitted personal items for DNA will they be returned to me? What about personal items I submit now? Every attempt will be made to return personal items after testing if the family so desires. Please bear in mind some items may be damaged or even consumed by testing, such as an article of clothing that must be cut. 6. Q) If I am bringing personal items to be submitted, how should I prepare them? Please limit your handling of personal items as much as possible. Try not to touch articles with your bare hands. Place items in a paper bag and bring them to an OCME facility after you have made an appointment to do so. 7. Q) Can someone come to my house to collect DNA samples? Yes. If you are homebound, arrangements can be made for a home visit. 8. Q) I submitted items and was told they didn’t yield. Why didn’t they? There are many reasons a sample might not yield. Possibly, no DNA was present on the item. Also, time and environmental factors degrade the DNA on samples. 9. Q) Can I get a copy of my DNA profile that I submit? No. The Medical Examiner cannot accommodate that request. 10. Q) After I submit the samples how long will it take to find my loved one? There is no guarantee we will find your loved one. DNA identification requires matching a viable DNA profile from your loved one’s remains, to samples you provide. With a sample we have a chance to help you; without a sample we have no chance. 11. Q) How long is this going to go on for? OCME is committed to continuing this effort until all possible methods of identification have been exhausted. It is safe to say we will continue this effort for at least one year. 12. Q) How does the passage of time impact the potential of identifying a lost loved one? Initially the passage of time will make it more difficult to identify a lost loved one because any tissue and blood will decompose over time. However DNA can still be isolated from bone and the passage of time will have little impact of the condition of bone. 13. Q) What is the criteria for positively confirming the identification of a victim? A victim may be identified by conventional means such as photo I.D., dental x-rays, chest x-rays, fingerprints, tatoos/body marks or personal effects. If conventional identification fails, a victim may be identified by DNA. The criteria for identification is having a confirmed ante-mortem sample (such as a fingerprint on file or dental x-ray from past dental visit) that can be compared to post-mortem samples from the victim. When possible we use two or more modalities to confirm an identification. 14 Q) Can you obtain useful information with a single strand of hair for positive identification? If the hair follicle were missing or damaged, can you still obtain enough DNA for analysis? A single strand of hair with an intact root can be used for positive identification. If the root was missing or damaged then only mitochondrial DNA analysis can be performed. Positive identifications can not be made solely on the basis of mitochondrial DNA analysis. Therefore if the root is missing or damaged, the hair can not be used for a positive identification. 15. Q) On average, how long does it take to make a positive identification? Positive identifications can only be made if a sample from the victim was recovered (post mortem sample) and there is known ante-mortem sample(such as a fingerprint on file or dental x-ray from past dental visit) . In the case of DNA samples the required tests may take several weeks to produce results. In the case of non-DNA samples (fingerprint to fingerprint record) the identification can be completed quickly. 16. Q) What are the precautions taking to prevent contamination of samples for DNA analysis during collection or processing? All workers handling samples are wearing face shields, gloves, head covering, and body suits to prevent contamination of samples by workers. Each sample is individually packaged to prevent sample to sample contamination. New disposable supplies such as scalpels, razors, and liquid handling devices are used to work on each sample and for DNA analysis. Gloves are changed between samples. Only one sample is worked upon at a time and the paper underneath each sample is changed between samples. Measures are in place to monitor the possible presence of contamination. 17. Q) How precise /sensitive are the methods used for DNA analysis? Is the method capable of allowing discrimination between different samples in a mixture? For example if the particular tissue samples of interest are collected with other tissues, is the current method designed to allow for adequate separation and identification of specific DNA? The DNA analysis methods are extremely precise. DNA can be isolated from any sample that can be seen by the naked eye. The method can only discriminate samples in a mixture if it is a very uneven mixture with a large major component and a small minor component. It will not work on 50:50 mixtures. It is assumed that tissues from different individuals are collected together. Therefore tissues are first examined by a medical examiner who has the skills to separate different tissues. Secondly, the tissues are sampled below the outer surface to avoid areas where different tissues might have touched. 18. Q) Who should provide DNA samples? At least two close relatives are needed. Parents are preferred. If close relatives (mother, father, children/spouse, full siblings) are not available then additional other relatives are needed. If children are used then a sample from the spouse is needed. Other relatives include grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces and more than two other relatives are needed. Any combination of the above will work. A detailed family history is needed when working with relatives. 20. Q) Does temperature impact DNA? High temperatures will destroy DNA. At room and body temperatures DNA in tissue will be broken down by bacteria. DNA in bone and hair will be stable at these temperatures. 21. Q) I provided a DNA sample and was asked to provide a second sample because the first one did not pass testing analysis. Please explain why this can happen. Not every DNA sample works every time. In a major study by the British on thousands of cheek swabs, cheek swabs work 85-95% of the time. The cheek swab may not work because the inside of the cheek was not rubbed properly (only a small part of the swab was used for rubbing), there may be too little saliva, the cheek may be coated with food or medication such as antacid, the swab was improperly dried after sampling, or the swab touched other swabs or dirty hands when drying.
Medical Examiner's Update, New "RM" (Reported Missing): The OCME D.N.A. hotline continues to receive phone calls from family members inquiring about the potential need to resubmit D.N.A. samples for analysis. As of February 11th, OCME serviced 1,630 phone calls and almost half (703) resulted in follow-up appointments with family members. Families whose loved ones are still missing and have not yet submitted D.N.A samples and are strongly urged to contact the DNA Hotline at 212.447.7884 seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is important to note that OCME records for the “missing” are now managed using an R.M. (Reported Missing) number assigned to your loved one. This “RM” number will umbrella the “P” and “T” number in the days following September 11th. The R.M number can be provided to you by contacting an OCME trained investigator via the D.N.A Hotline. Please be sure to refer to the R.M. number on all future inquiries made to OCME. To further support your need for information about D.N.A and the identification process, OCME is coordinating a follow-up mailing to family members. The mailing will provide a booklet on D.N.A and Identification along with a pamphlet produced by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM ).that contains information on the recovery process and contact resources for those seeking additional information including instructions to schedule a visit of Ground Zero, Fresh Kills, Medical Examiner and the D.N.A. Lab.
Medical Examiner Identification Notification Policy:
OFFICE OF CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER Notification Policy Dear Family Member: The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is charged with the identification of victims of the World Trade Center Disaster. Identifications are primarily made through fingerprints, dental records and DNA matching. Once an identification is made, an OCME investigator notifies the New York Police Department (NYPD), and provides the police with the name and address of the next of kin. If the next of kin lives outside New York City, NYPD contacts police in the appropriate jurisdiction, and the local department makes the notification. All initial notifications of identification are done in person. After receiving notification information from OCME, the local police department sends a representative to the home of the next of kin. Notifications are generally made between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. However, the hours of notification can vary by jurisdiction. The next of kin can specify or limit the hours of notification. To make changes to the notification process, please contact the DNA Hotline at (212) 447-7884. You will be asked to submit your request in writing and notarized. When the police arrive at the home of the family, they will have the case number assigned to the identified person and a telephone number through which family members can contact the OCME. The police can discuss the process of property reclamation with the family. Once remains are identified, the next of kin can contact a funeral home to have their loved one’s remains picked up for burial or cremation. The funeral home will need the case number given to the family by the police. At the funeral home, the next of kin will be asked to complete a Release Authorization Form. This form specifies the family’s wishes with regards to any remains that may be identified in the future. Notification of additional remains is done by phone to the family or to the funeral home. At the time of an identification, we encourage you to contact the Medical Examiner’s Office to discuss your options and address any questions you may have. If you have any questions regarding the identification or notification process, please contact the DNA Hotline at (212) 447-7884. Questions regarding the collection of property can be addressed to the Mayor’s office of Community Assistance at (212) 788-7418. To make changes to the notification process, contact the DNA Hotline at 212-447-7884. You will be asked to submit your request in writing and notarized. The Medical Examiner will ensure that the remains of loved ones will be handled according to the wishes of the family members. Family members who know in advance that they may be going out-of-town can submit the name of another person to be notified on their behalf during their absence. When the police arrive at the home of the family, they will have the case number assigned to the identified person and a phone number through which the family can contact the OCME. The police can discuss the process of property reclamation with the family.
Beginning
on January 7, 2002, families with loved ones missing in the World Trade
Center attack may apply for a death certificate by mail or in person
by appointment at the New York City Law Department's offices
at 59 Maiden Lane in lower Manhattan. They may call (212) 232-1058 Monday
through Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM (excluding City
holidays) to request information about the process or talk with Law
Department staff about beginning the process. 1. The spouse or the domestic partner who has registered with the City Clerk, or has registered such a partnership with the former City Department of Personnel pursuant to Executive Order 123; or, if none,Under extenuating circumstances, which will have to be explained to the Court in an affidavit, it is possible for a family member other than the nearest next-of-kin to make the application. To prevent fraud, such applications will receive special scrutiny by the Court. HOW TO APPLY Families can either apply in person or by mail. To Apply in Person To apply in person, families must call the New York City Law Department at (212) 232-1058 to make an appointment to see a Law Department lawyer, who will assist them in completing the necessary forms. All appointments will be at the Law Department's offices at 59 Maiden Lane, which is in lower Manhattan near City Hall and within walking distance of the Family Assistance Center at 51 Chambers Street. Appointments can be made between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding City holidays). Families can get directions to 59 Maiden Lane when they make their appointments or by calling the number listed above. Other assistance centers are:
To Apply by Mail Where a next-of-kin wishes to apply for a death certificate, but would rather not go to the New York City Law Department at 59 Maiden Lane, the process can be completed by mail. Please download the Law Department Intake Sheet and the Affidavit by Person with Personal Knowledge for Issuance of Death Certificate. Complete both of these forms. If you have any questions, you may consult with Law Department staff by calling (212) 232-1058. When you have completed the forms, you may fax it in draft form to (212) 232-1188 for preliminary review by a Law Department attorney. (Please use a fax cover sheet directing the fax to the attention of the World Trade Center Unit.) After the Law Department attorney has approved the affidavit, it should be completed in final form and notarized. Where the next-of-kin is completing the documents outside New York State, but inside the United States, the affidavit should be notarized in accordance with the requirements of the jurisdiction where the document is being completed. The completed affidavit and intake sheet (which must include the number of the missing persons report) can either be delivered or mailed to: The New York City Law Department Family Members Who Reside Outside the United States. The following additional requirements are applicable to applications originating outside of the United States:
WHAT THE PROCESS WILL ENTAIL Missing Persons Report Before an application can be made, a formal missing persons report must be made. If a person has not been reported missing, a family member may make such a report in person at the Family Assistance Center at 51 Chambers Street or by contacting the local police precinct in the jurisdiction where the missing person resided as of September 11, 2001. The telephone number for missing persons report personnel at the Family Assistance Center is (646) 710-6147. (Please note that it is not necessary for a missing persons report to be filed for a passenger or crew member of American Airlines flight 11 or United Airlines flight 175. Reports have already been filed for such persons by the New York City Police Department.) Affidavit and Intake Sheet The next-of kin must complete an Affidavit by Person with Personal Knowledge for Issuance of Death Certificate and a Law Department Intake Sheet. Law Department staff is available to assist the family member in completing these documents. In these documents, the next-of-kin will be asked to provide: 1. The full name of the missing person.Photo Identification and Proof of Relationship to Missing Person In order to prevent fraud, next-of-kin making an application for a declaration of death must provide the following: 1. Photo identification (driver's license, passport, other government-issued ID) of the next-of-kin signing the affidavit (the affiant).Certificates issued by a religious organization (for example, a church) relating to marriage or another religious ceremony are acceptable. To establish that a person who used to be a closer next-of-kin is no longer a next-of-kin to the missing person, a divorce decree or death certificate may be provided. For questions regarding the above, family members may contact the New York City Law Department's World Trade Center Unit at (212) 232-1058. Family members who come to 59 Maiden Lane should bring originals or certified copies of all necessary documents. Family members who wish to mail in their affidavits may submit legible copies of the required documents. Corroborating Affidavits Agencies engaged in rescue operations at the World Trade Center, employers at the World Trade Center, and United Airlines and American Airlines have been contacted and either have provided or will provide corroborating affidavits to support the next-of-kin's application for a death certificate. The New York City Fire Department, the New York City Police Department, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Office of Court Administration will provide affidavits confirming the presence of their respective personnel at the scene on September 11th and their current status as missing. United Airlines and American Airlines have provided affidavits confirming the identification of the passengers and crew on United Airlines flight 175 and American Airlines flight 11, respectively. The Criminal Justice Coordinator's Office and the New York City Law Department have contacted representatives of employers in the World Trade Center. These employers have provided affidavits confirming the presence of their employees in the buildings and their efforts to locate these individuals after the attack. In the above cases, it is expected that the Court's action on the application will be quickly decided without a court appearance and without the need for a hearing or other legal proceedings. Where a missing person does not fall into any of the above categories but is believed to have been present at the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001, an individual with personal knowledge of the missing person's whereabouts on that morning will be asked to provide an affidavit outlining why it is believed that the individual was present there on that day. The person filing the affidavit should be prepared to explain when and under what circumstances he or she last communicated with the missing individual, and the basis for his or her conclusion that such individual was at the World Trade Center on September 11th. The family member will also be asked to detail in an affidavit his or her efforts to locate the missing person since September 11th. In these cases, it may be necessary for the Court to hold a hearing on the facts surrounding the individual's disappearance to examine the basis for the belief that the individual was in the World Trade Center and the efforts of family members and others to locate the missing person. Submission to the Court and Issuance of the Death Certificate After the affidavits and other relevant documents have been completed, they will be reviewed by the New York City Law Department to determine whether a petition should be filed in New York County Supreme Court, on behalf of the Chief Medical Examiner, to obtain a death certificate for the missing person. Where a petition is filed and it is granted by the Court, a Court Order will be delivered to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which will issue the death certificate. The death certificate will then be delivered to the Office of Vital Statistics of the Department of Health, which will register the death certificate, prepare certified copies and send 10 certified copies to the next-of-kin by overnight mail. Court filing fees and the fees for the 10 certified copies of the death certificate will be waived. Additional Copies of the Death Certificate Instructions on how the next-of-kin can purchase additional copies will be included in the shipment of the 10 free copies. Other qualifying family members and persons (that is, those who do not receive the 10 free copies) may purchase certified copies of the death certificate once it has been issued to the next-of-kin. Generally, relatives of the deceased are entitled to purchase certified copies of the death record. Only non-relatives who are able to establish a right to the certificate by providing certain documentation are entitled to purchase a certified copy. Application Instructions and a Death Certificate Application Instructions and a Death Certificate Application for obtaining a death certificate that has already been issued are available at the New York City Department of Health, Office of Vital Records web page. The fee for each additional certified copy of a death certificate is $15. Questions Regarding Wills and Estate Issues The Court's ruling on the petition will relate solely to the issuance of a death certificate. Following that issuance, family members should follow the usual procedures in the appropriate jurisdiction to probate wills or otherwise address estate issues. For legal advice related to wills, settlement of estates and other related issues in New York, the New York State Bar Association (877) HELP-321, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and the New York County Lawyers Association (both may be reached at (212) 626-7373) will provide referrals to attorneys specializing in estate law. For estates to be probated in New Jersey, the New Jersey State Bar Association (888) 541-1900 should be consulted for referrals to attorneys specializing in estate law. For estates to be probated in Connecticut, Regional Bar Association, Inc. at (203) 327-7041 may be contacted for referrals to attorneys specializing in estate law. Of course, any family that wishes to retain counsel, or utilize the services of a family attorney, may do so.
OCME - Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and Outsourced Laboratories The OCME, the NYPD and the New York State Police are working closely together to identify the remains of those lost in the World Trade Center disaster. Owing to the enormity of the disaster, three additional laboratories have been contracted to assist in the identification process – Bode Technology Group in Virginia, Myriad Genetic Laboratories in Utah and Celera Genomics in Maryland. The OCME website (http://www.nyc.gov/dna) will be updated with the names of victims for whom they have insufficient DNA samples. There may still be names of victims who have sufficient DNA to make and ID, so this doesn’t mean that these families still have to provide additional DNA samples. Call the hotline with questions. The OCME has taken over the DNA processing of personal affects, which was previously handled by the State Police. New technology will be used to create DNA profiles for human remains that did not yield sufficient DNA. This technology cannot be used until an inspection of the OCME laboratory is done, which is scheduled for April 16-19. The inspection is made by Department of Health. All Human Remains are frozen and kept in a way that will not allow the DNA to deteriorate.
Family members have been asked to supply personal items belonging to the deceased to the Family Assistance Center, now located at 51 Chambers Street in Manhattan to help with the swift and accurate identification of those lost on 9/11. There are 2 types of identifications: 1) “Direct” identification - done using items such as toothbrushes, hairbrushes, razors, and under-garments. 2) “Kinship” identification - done using mouth swabs provided by family members at Pier 94. For increased accuracy, the OCME requests samples from one or more of the parents, children, grandparents, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews of the deceased. The most useful samples are obtained from the identical twin or the parents of the deceased. If a family cannot come to the FAC, samples may be collected at either their place of residence or at Labcorp Inc. labs nationwide. Labcorp’s number is (800) 631-5250 x2546 ask for Barbara G.
Why Go Through The Process Of Identifying Remains? Some families may find comfort in knowing that the remains of their loved one have been identified and returned. These remains can be interred according to the family’s traditions. This may help with the healing and adjustment to this terrible loss. For others, the DNA testing process may interfere with their healing. For DNA testing to work, we may need more information, DNA samples, or personal effects. Gathering these may cause you further distress. If DNA testing does not identify your loved one’s remains, it may be a disappointment, adding to your grief. These issues are very personal and may be different for each family. As you may know, New York City will provide DNA testing to help those families who want it. If you have not already done so, we invite you to take part if you feel it may help. If you choose not to, we will honor that respect. When an identification is made, next of kin will be notified and asked if they wish to be contacted if more remains are found in the future. If you later change your mind, contact the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and they will honor your decision. If you can’t decide now, take some time to talk about it with others. People who can help include family, friends, religious leaders, and health professionals.
The process of identifying the victims might be quite lengthy. It is possible that not every victim will be identified. To maximize the chance that it will work we need your help.
Accurate and complete information about the victim (unique characteristics, dental records, etc.) should be submitted to the Missing Person’s Unit of the New York City Police Department. In most cases, this has already been done. Next we will need some DNA samples to make a match to the remains from the World Trade Center site.
DNA tests are now being done on the remains from the World Trade Center site. This DNA can be compared to DNA known to be from the victim and to DNA from the relatives.
DNA from the victim’s medical specimens or personal effects can be used to make a direct match to remains from the site. Please tell the detectives about specimens that may exist. These are useful because DNA from the victim can be found in these medical specimens. For example, if a loved one recently had surgery or blood work done, a specimen may have been stored at the hospital or clinic. If you think a medical specimen from your loved one might be available, we will help ypu track it down. The table below provides examples of the kinds of medical specimens the laboratory can use.
DNA from the victim may also be found on their personal effects. The table above gives some examples of these. It is very important that these personal effects were used only by the victim or rarely used by anyone else. For example, a hairbrush used by the whole family would not be a good source of DNA from the victim. A toothbrush, or other items containing saliva are often good sources.
If personal effects or medical specimens are not available, DNA testing can be done on family members. The only relatives that can be used are blood relatives. This excludes adoptive parents, adopted children, stepparents, or other non-blood relatives. The ability to match a victim to their relatives depends on how closely related they are to the victim. The most useful DNA samples are from close blood relatives such as the victim’s biological mother, father, children, brothers or sisters. This is because DNA of close relatives is more similar than the DNA of other relatives. The pictures shoe the relatives who are most useful for identifying victims. If DNA from the victim’s children is used, it is helpful to have DNA from the children’s other biological parent. DNA from other relatives can be used, but this is more difficult to do. In some cases, we will ask for samples from specific relatives. For example, in some cases the laboratory may request DNA from a maternal relative of the victim such as the victim’s aunt, uncle, half-brothers, or half-sisters on the mother’s side.
DNA testing might not be able to identify your loved one. The most likely reason would be that there is no usable DNA in the remains recovered from the World Trade Center site. Because of the extreme conditions at the site, some victim’s remains may not be found. Also, DNA testing may not work if no usable DNA is found on personal effects, if medical specimens are not available, or if there are not enough relatives available for testing.
DNA is the hereditary material that contains instructions to build a human being. DNA can be collected from very small amounts of blood, cheek brushing, hair roots, or other samples. There are two kinds of DNA in the body: NUCLEAR DNA and MITOCHONDRIAL DNA. Both kinds of DNA can be used for DNA identification. Children inherit NUCLEAR DNA from their mother and father. Children inherit MITOCHONDRIAL DNA only from their mother. NUCLEAR DNA come from the nucleus and is inherited from both parents, half from the mother and half from the father. Each person’s NUCLEAR DNA is unique, except for identical twins. When NUCLEAR DNA from the victim’s remains matches the NUCLEAR DNA from a sample known to have come from the victim, we can be very sure it is a correct match. Because of the way it is inherited, DNA from the blood relatives is similar. The medical examiner can compare NUCLEAR DNA from the victim remains to NUCLEAR DNA from family members and make a match. There are some disadvantages to using NUCLEAR DNA. NUCLEAR DNA can be easily damaged by extreme heat and other conditions. If the Nuclear DNA is very damaged, it cannot be used for DNA testing. The second kind of DNA is called MITOCHODRIAL DNA. It is inherited only from the mother. Fathers never pass MITOCHONDRIAL DNA on to their children. However, MITOCHONDRIAL DNA is not always unique. This means that two unrelated people might have the same MITOCHONDRIAL DNA. Because of the way it is inherited, only maternal relatives can be used for MITOCHONDRIAL DNA testing. MITOCHONDRIAL DNA is often easier to test on very small or damaged DNA samples. For these reasons, testing MITOCHONDRIAL DNA can be very helpful for identification. We will try to test both NUCLEAR and MITOCHONDRIAL DNA on every sample. Because of the extreme conditions at the site, some samples may be severely damaged and the testing will not be successful. You should know that the New York City Medical Examiner, together with the New York State Police, will do their best to identify all remains and notify all of the families who wish to pursue this testing. If you would like more information on DNA and DNA testing, please visit:
Who Do I Contact For More Information? Please contact the Police Department or the Office of the Chief Medial Examiner in New York City if you have questions. Be assured that we will do our best to address your needs and questions. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner New York City Police Department Mayor’s Website:
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If you are a family member of a missing Civilian and would like to obtain more information on:
Please Sign our Membership Form and offer your support for our efforts. |
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