Minutes from Medical Examiner & WTC Families Meeting:

From CME:

• Gentle reminder that the recovery effort at the World Trade Center Site is coming to an end. Estimated time frame is 90 days. Then Freshkill should finish processing debris two weeks after. However, recovery effort will continue at their office when sites are closed.
• Begin working on notifying the family members in advance so they are aware of what is ahead.
• Even though the World Trade Center site has come to an end., they will continue to work on identifying the remains of loved ones.
• Hotlines has reached 1500 families, greatly reducing the number of families that have no information.
• Families walk out with a better understanding of what needs to be done in identifying their loved ones.
• Families are uniformly grateful and have a better understanding of what is done in identifying their loved ones.
• They are encouraged to come to the ME’s office and review what their options are .
• NYPD officers are not given information. The ME’s office is the custodian of any information and it is saved for the family members.
• If a family does not ask what remains the ME’s office has, then it is not discussed. But it is expected that the family does ask. Many families do not want to know.

Notification Policy

The notification policy provides information on how the family members are notified that their loved ones have been identified. Once an identification is made, the OCME will provide the NYPD with information on where to reach the next of kin. Anyone outside of NY City will be notified by there local precinct. All initial notifications are made in person. Families are encouraged to contact the ME’s office if they have specific wishes on how to be notified that their loved one has been identified. More information is listed below…

Release Authorization Form

The Release Authorization Form is given to the next of kin once the initial identification of their loved one has been made. Many families have not seen this form as of yet because their loved ones have not been identified as of yet.

In the case where there is no agreement as to how the remains of loved ones are handled, legally the next of kin is the primary person and makes all decisions on how the remains are handled.

A call to the Medical Examiner followed by a written letter, which is notarized, can be submitted to the Medical Examiner if different arrangements have been agreed to by the family.

Medical Examiner will only disclose information to the legal next of kin. They will not intervene with their wishes.

The form was created as a result of their family meetings and conversations.

***OCME would like feedback on the form.

Any family can personalize their information. The medical examiner will accommodate their specific needs and wishes.

OCME DNA Lab

• Second floor has been cleared out for additional work space
• 11 PCs and 11 people working to make matches.
• Rework of non yielding DNA is producing good results so far.
• Possibly Eight months once the sight is cleaned.
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