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NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

12 AFIP Letter / Vol. 139, No, 5 / October 2001

Operation Noble Eagle: Helping Pentagon families who lost loved ones, AFIP Personnel Staff Special Assistance Center

Tn the aftermath of the September 11 “DNA is new technology I terrorist attack at the Pentagon, AFIP with the capability of provid­ J_experts relied on DNA analysis to ing those answers back to the provide a positive identification for many families,” he said. Working of the victims. To make a-DNA identifi­ with him were Air Force cation. however, a reference specimen i.s CMSgt Ontee Biggs and TSgt. required—typically small amounts of Charles A. Lattany, HI, to blood, tissue, hair, teeth, or other biologi­ meet and interview family cal material from the deceased. Since members. For almost 3 weeks 1992, the AFIP has maintained a special Canik's group worked 12-hour repository of bloodstain cards for over 3.5 shifts, 7 days a week at the million servicemembers for just such a center. purpose. In fact, 53 cards from the “Working with the families CMS^f Onlee W. Biggs staffed the family repository were used to help identify was our primary focus,” Biggs said. “We assistance center. active-duty servicemembers and reservists helped to calm them down, and we made killed in the Pentagon attack. But, what sure we were there to fulfill their needs.” Canik also met and interviewed family about the civilians who died? The assignment of explaining the DNA members of other civilian and military That’s where staff from the Armed process and the purpose of the tests to causalities who didn’t have DNA Forces DNA Identification Laboratory distraught family members wasn’t always reference samples (bloodstain cards) on (AFDIL) provided special assistance. easy to watch, he said. file. “Dealing with the families one-on- Under the direction of James J. Canik, Taking the focus off himself and one is difficult because of the circum­ AFDIL’s deputy director, staff members putting the family members first proved stances and the recent loss of a loved one from AFIP and Walter Reed organized a helpful for Lattany. “In a situation like under extremely traumatic conditions,” blood collection center at the temporary that you forget about yourself and you Canik said. “We saw the full range of family assistance center in Crystal City, really look forward to helping out other emotions— everything from happiness Virginia. Canik talked with families about people. For them, having to lose loved and thankfulness that we were there the importance of DNA in helping to ones is a hard thing to have to deal with,” working on their behalf, to the anger and identify casualties. Lattany said. frustration that normally surfaced as part of the grieving process.” Due to the aircraft crashing into the Pentagon and the subsequent fire, family members were told identification of victim.s would not be an easy task, and families were asked to give blood to help DNA experts in the process. “Family members were being asked to do and provide different things, but by AFIP civilian photogra­ giving their blood sample they realized phers who provided they were doing something tangible and support at Dover were vitally important to assist in the identifi­ (from left) Steve Kruger, cation of their family member. It was one Veronica Ferris, and Andy of the most positive things we had in our Morataya. involvement with the familie.s - as we made them part of the process in bringing them the answers they sought,” Canik said. - Michele Hammonds

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