Breakthrough for Unknown Bones

    After the tragic terrorist attack 9/11— over 2,996 people were killed and more than 6,000 others were injured. Unfortunately some families couldn't recover or identify their loved ones but, almost 17 years later a 9/11 victim was identified using a DNA test. Scott Michael Johnson, 26,  worked on the first tower to be attacked working for Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, an investment banking firm located on the 85th, 88th and 89th floors of the World Trade Center's second tower. Lamentably, his family did not recover his body and was unable to identify the body of Scott Johnson. 17 years later, using new techniques they were able to remove DNA from the bone and compare it to a database containing 17,000 reference samples from victims and family members. Then branching off of a family tree to connect how much DNA a family member shares with the unknown body. Identification was then made positive for Scott Michael Johnson. Not only did young Scotts family find clarity, this new technique gives hope for other families who have an empty space looking to finally fill. "But with the World Trade Center investigation, it’s a different kind of case and when you meet with the families and the hugs and the thank yous, it gets emotional with them and it really helps with that drive to keep improving that process.” Mark Desire, the assistant director of forensic biology for the office stated. This new method of uncovering unknown bodies identities can even solve many ill crimes and even uncover body of our United States troops. 




This will explain the procedure directly and show different examples of how this new idea can solve more than we may think: 

https://www.insideedition.com/media/videos/5-cold-cases-may-have-been-cracked-because-companys-new-dna-technology-45252



Class Questions:

• Could this possibly be a break through in the way we look upon science?
• Do you think families searching to find the remains of their loved ones have high hopes for the future of this new procedure?
• Do you think this method could be used on identifying troops in the military? 

I chose this current event because this could possibly unlock so many mysteries from crimes to families finally being able to recover their loved ones bodies and finding closure. Its also fascinating how 17 years later we can still use this method unlike finger prints and such other ways of collecting DNA off of a body.