Coroners from the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) announced on Thursday (January 18) that they have identified the remains of 9/11 victim John Ballantine Niven of Oyster Bay, Long Island using the latest DNA technology.
The announcement came over 22 years after al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked passenger jets and crashed them at the twin towers of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
"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 during the announcement, adding that he appreciates the work of the Big Apple's coroners to identify the remains of 9/11 victims like Niven, who is now officially identified as 9/11 victim number 1650.
Roughly 40% of those who died in the attacks remain unidentified and unaccounted for, Newsweek reported.
On 9/11, Niven was a 44-year-old executive for AON Risk Services, an insurance firm on the 105th floor of the South Tower. He was survived by his wife Ellen and son John Jr.
Identification through Science
New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham also told reporters that they remain committed to identifying every single 9/11 victim "using the latest advances in science."
"This new identification attests to our agency's unwavering commitment and the determination of our scientists," he added.
Last year, two more victims were identified just days before the 22nd anniversary, but their names were withheld at the request of their families.
The OCME adopted next-generation sequencing technology used by the military in recent years after almost two decades of negative results. The technique is more sensitive and rapid than other DNA technologies.
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