'We never recovered him': Quest to identify remains from Ground Zero continues
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, the New York City medical examiner's office continues efforts to identify victims using advanced forensic investigative genetic genealogy. While 60 percent of victims have been identified, the process remains complex and emotionally significant for families like the Scausos.
Why it matters
It highlights the intersection of forensic science and historical trauma, providing closure to families affected by the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Image source, Juliette Scauso Image caption, Juliette Scauso was four, the youngest of four children, when her father, firefighter Dennis Scauso, was killed in 9/11
For 25 years, the only physical trace Juliette Scauso had from the last day of her father's life was his mangled firefighter helmet.
Scauso's father, Dennis - part of a New York City Fire Department (FDNY) hazmat unit for 12 years - initially was not scheduled to work on 11 September, 2001, but switched shifts for the overtime pay.
The Long Island father of four was likely in the South Tower of the World Trade Center when it collapsed, the Scauso family was told. The helmet with his badge number was found months later.
"I've spent essentially my entire life knowing my father died, and learning to live with the fact that we never recovered him," said Scauso, who was four when he died.
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