Remains to be preserved

last updated 8 January 2015

New York

The unidentified remains of more than 1,000 people who died in the attack on the World Trade Center will be placed in a memorial at ground zero, The New York Times reported this week. Scientists used DNA samples to match body parts to the 2,792 victims killed in the Sept. 11 attacks, but 1,271 remain unidentified. Thousands of pieces of flesh and bone were so badly damaged that their genetic code was indecipherable. These remains will be dried, then vacuum-sealed into pouches and enclosed in the memorial. City officials said the remains could be identified later if DNA technology improves. Lorie Van Auken, whose husband died in the attack, said the plan would provide families a place to mourn. “I go outside and I don’t know where to look for him,” she said. “This would give me somewhere to go.”