Two MSU professors have been called to New York City, where they are assisting in identifying victims of Tuesday’s terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

Norman Sauer, a professor of anthropology and adjunct professor of criminal justice, and Joyce deJong, an adjunct professor of anthropology and human pathology, left at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning on a plane supplied by the U.S. Air Force.

Sauer and deJong, who is also a medical examiner and pathologist for Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital, are members of Disaster Mortuary Teams, which are teams made up of private citizens with different areas of expertise. The teams include medical examiners, coroners, pathologists, forensic anthropologists, X-ray technicians, forensic odontologists, funeral directors, computer specialists, administrative support staff and security and investigative personnel.

Todd Fenton, visiting assistant professor of anthropology, is also a member of the teams and said his services may be needed in either New York City or Washington.

“It depends on how many teams are there and how many months they will be there for. Most of the remains will be fragmentary and decomposition will make identification very problematic,” he said. “I have a sense that it is going to take months to identify all the bodies.

“Having specialized skills, it feels good to help out in a destructive situation. I would jump at the chance if they needed me.”

Lynne Goldstein, chairwoman of the Department of Anthropology, said Sauer and deJong were called Tuesday and told to be on alert. Later that evening they were called and told they would be needed the next day.

“We have not heard from either one yet, but Sauer indicated that he would call us once he knew something,” she said. “They were told to expect to be there at least two weeks.”

This semester, deJong is working with a student on an internship and is not teaching any classes. While Sauer is gone, someone else is needed to take over his professorial duties.