‘We never recovered him’: Quest to identify remains from Ground Zero continues

For 25 years, Juliette Scauso’s only physical reminder of her father, Dennis Scauso, a New York City firefighter, was his damaged helmet. Dennis, who was part of the FDNY hazmat unit, died in the 9/11 attacks after switching shifts for overtime pay. He was likely in the South Tower when it collapsed. Despite extensive efforts, Dennis remains one of over 1,000 victims from that day who have not been identified. Recently, New York City identified a 9/11 victim using forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG), a new technology offering hope for more identifications. The city’s medical examiner’s office has identified 60% of the 2,753 victims from the World Trade Center, but the process is complex due to the condition of the remains and the circumstances of the attacks. The remains are preserved for future DNA testing, continuing the effort to bring closure to families like the Scausos. QUESTION: How might advancements in DNA technology change the way we remember and honor those lost in historical tragedies?