Example of genetic identifications of victims of totalitarian regimes in Poland

Kus, Mateja; Ossowski, Andrzej; Zielińska, Grażyna

doi:10.1016/j.fsigss.2015.09.141

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Markers linked to the Y chromosome significantly increase the identification possibilities of NN remains of male origin, in the case where only a relative is a person related in the male line. Our experience shows that each case should be treated individually (Ossowski et al, 2009;Kuś et al, 2015;Ossowski et al, 2016a;Ossowski et al, 2016b;Diepenbroek et al, 2019). Studies conducted in various regions of Europe (Definis Gojanović and Sutlović, 2007;Marjanović et al, 2007;PaloHedman et al, 2007;Kuś et al, 2015;Zielińska et al, 2015) show that DNA analyses appear to be the only viable approach to identifying World War II remains.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

The last flight of F/O Tadeusz Stabrowski. Identification of the polish pilot

et al. 2023

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The paper presents the process of identifying an unnamed soldier of the Polish armed forces in the west, whose remains were found in a nameless grave at the municipal cemetery in Le Crotoy in France. The Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism team carried out the research in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. A comprehensive analysis of autosomal and Y-STR markers was performed. Historical, anthropological, and forensic examinations of the remains were also carried out. The items found with the remains were also examined. Identification based on DNA analysis made it possible to restore the identity of the Polish pilot who died on 11 March 1943 near the French coast, F/O Tadeusz Stabrowski. The airman regained his name in 2018, he was about 26 years old at the time of his death and left behind a grieving wife and son in the United Kingdom. The success of identifying the NN remains was guaranteed by the appointment of an interdisciplinary team consisting of specialists in archaeology, anthropology, history, forensic medicine and forensic genetics. The analysis of historical sources allowed to determine 4 missing airmen whose remains could have been buried in the cemetery in Le Crotoy. An interesting aspect of the research was the cooperation with history enthusiasts and fans of Polish aviation, thanks to which it was finally possible to narrow down the group of pilots sought and reach the family of Tadeusz Stabrowski, who submitted comparative material for research. This is the first case of establishing the identity of a Polish pilot killed in France. Many institutions have been involved in the project, including Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (MDiKN), which partially funded the research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

The last flight of F/O Tadeusz Stabrowski. Identification of the polish pilot

et al. 2023

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“…Molecular biology methods used in the identification of missing persons should be routinely applied to the analysis of skeletal remains. The last two decades show that analysis of STR loci is the primary method for identifying human remains [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Research to date indicates that, in the case of World War II victims, DNA analysis has become highly effective and, in most cases, the only appropriate method of identification [ 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research to date indicates that, in the case of World War II victims, DNA analysis has become highly effective and, in most cases, the only appropriate method of identification [ 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Identification studies of Bosnian and Herzegovinian [ 21 ] and Croatian [ 22 , 23 ] war victims, analysis of World War II remains in Slovenia [ 24 , 25 ] and the numerous identification studies carried out by our team [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 26 ] indicate that components such as the optimisation of DNA isolation protocols and the selection of appropriate testing methods depending on the comparative material collected from the relatives of the victims are extremely important in the restoration of identity. The importance of the very process of DNA isolation from highly degraded material was demonstrated by researchers analyzing ancient DNA [ 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Black Devils in Normandy—Identification of an Unknown Soldier Found in the Polish War Cemetery of Urville-Langannerie (France)

Lisman

Bykowska

Drath

et al. 2023

Genes

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A paper dedicated to the identification of a Polish soldier from the 1st Armoured Division under the command of General Stanisław Maczek, who fell in 1944 in Normandy, during World War II. The remains were found at the Urville-Langannerie Polish War Cemetery. A team from the Department of Forensic Genetics at the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, commissioned by the Ministry of Culture Heritage and Sport, exhumed the remains in order to carry out genetic identification tests. A comprehensive anthropological analysis of the heavily degraded remains was carried out, and biological samples were secured for genetic testing. The identification of Jan Dusza is the first case of restoring the identity of an active combatant from the First Armoured Division. In the case analysis, the analysis of mitochondrial DNA in highly degraded biological material proved crucial. Genetic studies decided to reject the original historical hypothesis No. I at their preliminary stage. Regarding hypothesis No. II, a comprehensive genetic analysis of mitochondrial and autosomal DNA was carried out. Comparative material was obtained from the alleged victim’s sister. Thanks to the analysis of kinship in the maternal line based on the mtDNA haplotype, it was possible to establish that the remains belong to Jan Dusza, who served in the Podhale Rifle Battalion, part of the Polish 1st Armoured Division. The research was co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Heritage and National Culture.

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“…It is worth considering the process of preparing teeth for isolation as well. Previous genetic analyses conducted by our research group subjected bone material and teeth to standard cleansing procedures, including mechanical and chemical methods 12 , 18 , 31 , 32 . Our study demonstrates that since dental calculus contains human DNA in concentrations comparable to that obtained from teeth dating back to World War II, it is necessary to mechanically clean the teeth, thereby eliminating an additional source of human DNA that could contribute to better amplification of STR markers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All analyses were conducted at the Department of Forensic Genetics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. As a team involved in the project of the Polish Genetic Database of Totalitarian Victims (PBGOT), we have worked extensively with degraded material, as evidenced by numerous publications 12 – 18 . Our experience shows the importance of selecting appropriate laboratory procedures and biological material to achieve success in identification.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The evidential value of dental calculus in the identification process

Lisman,

Drath,

Zielińska

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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DNA analysis-based identification is by far the gold standard in forensic genetics and it should be performed in every case involving human remains or unidentified bodies. Bones and teeth are the preferred source of human DNA for genetic analysis. However, there are cases where the nature of the proceedings and historical significance prevent the disruption of skeletal structure. The remains may also be heavily degraded. In such situations, forensic geneticists seek alternative sources of human DNA. Teeth calculus has proven to be a viable source of DNA for identification purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the concentration of human DNA in teeth calculus and evaluate the usefulness of teeth calculus as a DNA source in the identification process. Teeth calculus was collected from skeletons exhumed between 2021 and 2022 by the PBGOT (Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism) team from the former Stalag IID prisoner-of-war camp in Stargard. Genetic analyses included the determination of autosomal and Y-STR markers. The total concentration of human DNA was also evaluated in samples from teeth calculus and teeth taken from the same individuals. The pilot study included 22 skeletons with a sufficient amount of calculus for isolation (specified in the protocol). Samples were taken from the largest areas of calculus deposited on lingual surfaces of mandibular incisors. The prepared samples underwent DNA extraction. Our study demonstrated that teeth calculus is a source of human DNA for remains from the World War II period. The obtained DNA concentration allowed for the determination of STR markers. It was shown that teeth calculus contains human DNA in an amount suitable for preliminary identification analyses.

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Example of genetic identifications of victims of totalitarian regimes in Poland

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

The last flight of F/O Tadeusz Stabrowski. Identification of the polish pilot

The last flight of F/O Tadeusz Stabrowski. Identification of the polish pilot

Black Devils in Normandy—Identification of an Unknown Soldier Found in the Polish War Cemetery of Urville-Langannerie (France)

The evidential value of dental calculus in the identification process

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