by Another victim of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11 has been identified through DNA testing.
New York City, September 11, 2024 – The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in New York City has made a significant breakthrough by positively identifying another victim of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. After more than two decades of relentless DNA testing, the remains of John Ballantine Niven from Oyster Bay, a town in Long Island, New York, have finally been identified. This latest identification marks the 1,650th victim of the tragic incident.
Even though the anguish caused by the enormous losses that occurred on September 11th will never honestly go away, the identification of John Ballantine Niven provides some measure of comfort to the families of those who were destroyed. New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his gratitude for the ongoing work carried out by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in honoring the memory of John Ballantine Niven and all those who lost their lives.
Through cutting-edge DNA testing techniques, the medical examiner’s office made this new identification using remains recovered in 2001. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham emphasized the unwavering commitment of the OCME to finding answers for families. He stated, “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. This new identification attests to our agency’s determination and unwavering commitment.”
However, despite this recent breakthrough, there are still 1,103 victims whose identities are unknown. This number represents forty percent of the people who passed away on that fateful day during the incident. The number of new identifications has been deficient, which means that each identification represents a significant step forward in the process of bringing closure to the families whom the tragedy has impacted.
The OCME recently made two new identifications of victims in September 2023; however, their names were withheld at the request of their families. It is important to note that these victims were identified in September 2023. The tireless efforts of the OCME and its scientists continue to honor the memory of the victims and provide comfort to their loved ones.
The identification of John Ballantine Niven serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of the September 11th attacks and the ongoing commitment to bring closure to the families affected by this tragedy. To ensure that the memory of the victims is never forgotten, the work that the OCME does continues to be extremely important in terms of providing answers and providing solace.
