Search for 9/11 Remains Starts Again

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November 16, 2006 6:23 PM

Five years after the attacks on the World Trade Center, New York City has relaunched a methodical search for human remains at Ground Zero, following the recent discovery of 200 bones in three abandoned power company manholes -- remains that had been missed in the original nine-month search and sifting of the rubble at Ground Zero.

A copy of the memo to New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg outlining the search, which is expected to last until summer, was obtained by ABC News. It had first been shared with the families of 9/11 victims, and its contents were first reported by The Associated Press.

The Nov. 15 memo from Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler to his boss states plainly, "As you have instructed, this renewed effort will continue until we have searched every place where remains could be found. The recovery work will be done compassionately and thoroughly." 

The discovery of the remains under manhole covers last month followed the discovery of 760 bones and fragments over the past year at a building adjacent to the 16-acre site. The belated discoveries sparked a new round of outrage from the families of victims, many of whom continue to look for the closure that only claiming the remains of their loved one can provide.

More than half of the 2,749 victims at the site -- 1,598 -- were identified plus three who were severely injured and subsequently died in hospitals in their hometowns. The victims were often  identified  by DNA or very tiny portions of bone, but despite what forensic pathologists consider a remarkable achievement, the remains of 1,148 people remain unidentified.

The city plans to excavate a service road in use since the attacks and the site of a former church and search the rooftops of nearby hotels and office buildings as well as the interiors of buildings damaged in the attacks. The New York City Medical Examiner's office will perform DNA tests on all remains recovered. The City Office of Emergency Management will coordinate the operation.

"Dr. Hirsch [New York City Medical Examiner Charles Hirsch] sent a letter to the families saying that he's expecting new identifications -- he didn't know how many or how soon," Ellen Borakove, his spokesman, said.

World Trade Center by the Numbers: See how many victims of the 9/11 attacks have been identified.