Patch
Photo credit: Michael Hnatov
Accession Number: C.2015.283.4
Dimensions: 3.375 in X 2.625 in X 0.5 in
Dimensions (Metric): 8.5725 cm X 6.6675 cm X 1.27 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 8.5725 cm X 6.6675 cm X 1.27 cm
Source: Lawrence A. Dobrin
Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Lawrence A. Dobrin
Keywords
Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT)
Human Remains
New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME)
Volunteers
Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT)
Human Remains
New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME)
Volunteers
Description
Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) patch in navy blue with gold-colored embroidery. Embroidered text on the patch reads: "The City of New York | Office of Chief Medical Examiner." In the center is the caduceus on the scales of justice. Attached to the patch is a gold and blue lapel pin.
Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) patch in navy blue with gold-colored embroidery. Embroidered text on the patch reads: "The City of New York | Office of Chief Medical Examiner." In the center is the caduceus on the scales of justice. Attached to the patch is a gold and blue lapel pin.
Historical Notes
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner was tasked with identifying the remains of those who perished at the World Trade Center, a process that expanded into the largest forensic DNA investigation in U.S. history. On 9/11, the OCME immediately established temporary field mortuaries in buildings around the perimeter of the World Trade Center site to assist with the recovery of remains. Its operations expanded to Bellevue Hospital, which served as headquarters for the identification of remains. The OCME continues to preserve all unidentified remains in the hope that future technological breakthroughs may make additional identifications possible.
On November 12, 2001, American Airlines Flight 587, en route to the Dominican Republic, crashed in Belle Harbor, a residential neighborhood in Queens, soon after takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport. The crash triggered fear that another terrorist attack had occurred. All 260 people aboard the plane and five people on the ground were killed. Investigators later conclude that human error, not terrorism, caused the crash. The OCME responded to the disaster to serve in a similar capacity of identifying remains.
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner was tasked with identifying the remains of those who perished at the World Trade Center, a process that expanded into the largest forensic DNA investigation in U.S. history. On 9/11, the OCME immediately established temporary field mortuaries in buildings around the perimeter of the World Trade Center site to assist with the recovery of remains. Its operations expanded to Bellevue Hospital, which served as headquarters for the identification of remains. The OCME continues to preserve all unidentified remains in the hope that future technological breakthroughs may make additional identifications possible.
On November 12, 2001, American Airlines Flight 587, en route to the Dominican Republic, crashed in Belle Harbor, a residential neighborhood in Queens, soon after takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport. The crash triggered fear that another terrorist attack had occurred. All 260 people aboard the plane and five people on the ground were killed. Investigators later conclude that human error, not terrorism, caused the crash. The OCME responded to the disaster to serve in a similar capacity of identifying remains.
