DNA technology helped New York officials identify the remains of a 9/11 victim more than two decades after the terrorist attacks.
The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced Thursday that DNA testing helped the office identify the remains of John Ballantine Niven of Oyster Bay, Long Island.
The announcement comes more than 22 years after al-Qaeda terrorists launched the worst attack on the U.S. in the nation’s history.
“While the pain from the enormous losses on September 11th never leaves us, the possibility of new identifications can offer solace to the families of victims,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. “I’m grateful for the ongoing work from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner that honors the memory of John Ballantine Niven and all those we lost.”
Gary Hershorn
Niven is the 1,650th September 11 victim identified. Roughly 40 percent of those who died in the attacks remain unidentified.
“Our solemn promise to find answers for families using the latest advances in science stands as strong today as in the immediate days after the World Trade Center attacks,” New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham said. “This new identification attests to our agency’s unwavering commitment and the determination of our scientists.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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