2016/10/07 by Andrzej Ossowski, Marta Diepenbroek, Tomasz Kupiec +4
Arts and Humanities · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies #Forensic and Genetic Research #Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
paper · doi:10.1111/1556-4029.13205
openalex publication_date 2016/10/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Abstract As the result of the communist terror in Poland, during years 1944–1956 more than 50,000 people died. Their bodies were buried secretly, and most places are still unknown. The research presents the results of identification of people buried in one of many mass graves, which were found at the cemetery Powązki Military in Warsaw, Poland. Exhumation revealed the remains of eight people, among which seven were identified genetically. Well‐preserved molars were used for the study. Reference material was collected from the closest living relatives. In one case, an exhumation of victim's parents had to be performed. DNA from swabs was extracted with a PrepFiler ® BTA Forensic DNA Extraction Kit and organic method. Autosomal, Y‐ STR amplification, and mt DNA sequencing were performed. The biostatistical calculations resulted in LR values from 1608 to 928 × 10 18 . So far, remains of more than 50 victims were identified.