Forensic Science in the Wake of Mass Atrocity

In the aftermath of 9/11, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) was tasked with identifying the remains of those who had been killed at the World Trade Center – work which remains unfinished 22 years after the attacks. To discuss the OCME’s continuing commitment to this effort, Assistant Director of Forensic Biology at the OCME, Mark Desire is joined by WTC Anthropologist, Jennifer K. Odien, and Criminalist IV at the OCME, Carl D. Gajewski. Together, in conversation with Museum Director, Clifford Chanin, they discuss their work, how it has helped facilitate and been aided by advancements in DNA identification technology, and how this project has assisted in the identification of victims of mass atrocities and disasters around the world.