New York City has identified a victim of the September 11, 2001 attacks using genetic genealogy, marking the first such identification in over a decade and the first instance of this advanced technique being applied to the World Trade Center victims.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the NYPD Detective Bureau utilized forensic investigative genetic genealogy, a method combining DNA testing with family tree research, to identify an adult female victim. She is the 1,651st person to be formally identified among the nearly 3,000 individuals killed in the 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center.

Dr. Jason Graham, New York City's chief medical examiner, described the identification as a breakthrough, stating that new methods are being applied to the ongoing identification efforts. He noted that the technology for such precise identification was not available 25 years ago. NYPD Det. Gregory Paduano echoed this sentiment, highlighting the future potential of genealogical research in investigations.

Forensic investigative genetic genealogy has previously been instrumental in solving long-standing cold cases. The application of this technique to the World Trade Center victims represents a significant advancement in the meticulous and solemn effort to identify everyone lost on that day.

Dr. Jennifer Odien, a forensic anthropologist with the medical examiner's office, indicated that while not every remaining unidentified case may be suitable for genetic genealogy, there are approximately 47 DNA profiles that show promise for identification using this method. These profiles do not currently match existing reference samples. This represents a small fraction of the roughly 1,100 World Trade Center victims who remain unidentified, approximately 40% of the total fatalities.

Graham emphasized the commitment of the medical examiner's office to continue its identification work, calling the World Trade Center attack the largest mass murder in U.S. history and the most complex forensic identification effort. He stated that employing new innovations is a way to uphold their commitment to the families of the victims.

The family of the newly identified victim chose not to come forward publicly.