Remains of a 9/11 victim identified with advanced DNA testing

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The remains of a 26-year-old man who worked at the World Trade Centre have been identified, nearly 17 years after the 9/11 attacks, as a result of advanced DNA re-testing.

New York City’s chief medical examiner’s office has been able to identify the remains belonging to Scott Michael Johnson, which were recovered after the 2001 terror attack. Mark Desire, the assistant director of forensic biology at the city’s chief medical examiner’s office, told The New York Times that until recently, his colleagues have been unable to extract enough DNA to make a positive identification from the sample.

Mr Desire explained that with the application of new technology, among other advancements, the techniques for extracting and identifying DNA have improved.

“In 2001, we made a commitment to the families of victims that we would do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to identify their loved ones,” said Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson in a statement. “This identification is the result of the tireless dedication of our staff to this ongoing mission.”

Of the 2,753 reported deaths from the 9/11 terror attack in New York, Mr Johnson is reportedly the 1,642 person to be identified by the New York City’s medical examiner’s office, The Times reported.

Ann Johnson, mother of Mr Johnson, who worked as a security analyst for Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods on the 89th floor of the south tower in the World Trade Centre, said learning her son’s remains had been identified has provided a “finality.”

“You get pulled right back into it and it also means there’s a finality,” she said. “Somehow I always thought he would just walk up and say, ‘Here I am. I had amnesia.’”

According to officials, roughly 1,100 victims remain unidentified.