Researchers identify 18 executed World War II civilians in Adele, Rethymnon, using century-old DNA analysis

A groundbreaking national-level study has been conducted by the Paleonomics and Evolutionary Genetics research group of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH). The 18 civilians from the village of Adele (Rethymnon) who were executed on June 2, 1941, were identified using age-old DNA and genomic analysis techniques.

The results of these findings were recently published in the journal Forensic Science International: Geneticstitled “Identification of the 18 Executed World War II Civilians of Adele, Rethymnon, Crete Using a Century-old DNA Approach and Low Coverage Genomes.”

The Laboratory of Paleogenomics and Evolutionary Genetics aims to conduct fundamental and applied research in the field of ancient genome analysis. Ancient DNA (aDNA) refers to the preserved, but often highly degraded genetic material, recovered from remains found at paleontological and archaeological sites. Sources of genetic material can be isolated from specimens 100 to thousands of years old.

The laboratory specializes in the development, application and analysis techniques related to poorly preserved osteological material, providing an important experimental approach for the molecular identification of human remains and thus a powerful methodological tool for forensic research.

In this context and at the request of the Adele community, the laboratory took on, coordinated and completed the humanitarian task of identifying the 18 civilians, victims of Nazism, who were forced to dig their own mass grave.

Recognizing the historical, sensitive and international nature of the issue, which transcends narrow local boundaries, the laboratory, in close collaboration with the community, embarked on the systematic, methodological and interdisciplinary study of the remains of the victims. The results of the research will be announced during an official commemoration meeting on June 2, 2024.

The research applied a combination of archaeogenomic analyzes and targeted anthropological examination of all skull remains to identify all victims. At the same time, the fragmented skulls were restored using anthropological methods.

The molecular identification of the deceased was achieved through low-coverage whole-genome sequencing technologies and compared with those of the victims’ relatives, and through ancient DNA analysis approaches to assess the degree of genetic relatedness, always in accordance with the rules. of ethics and the protection of personal data.

This study is the first published work at the national level, which sheds light on the humanitarian and historical divide and contributes to closing an open chapter for the community, but also to healing the wounds of the victims of the Adele- family.

The laboratory’s involvement in the research was a complex and demanding multi-level challenge, which nevertheless succeeded in satisfying the family members’ long-standing and persistent desire for moral justification of the memory of their ancestors. Now, 83 years later, their loss continues to move and light our path.

Prof. Nektarios N. Tavernarakis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Research and Technology stated: “FORTH’s extensive experience, expertise and commitment to cutting-edge research in the field of archaeogenetics… was accompanied by the establishment of the first and only ancient DNA analysis laboratory in Greece and one of the few in Europe.

“The laboratory operates according to international standards and connects modern scientific research with our culture and history, while creating new perspectives for the study of the past and for the promotion of Greek cultural heritage.

“The Archaeogenetics Unit enables archaeologists and life sciences researchers to access analytical technologies that were until recently only available abroad. The unit offers unique opportunities for interdisciplinary approaches and collaborations between traditionally distant scientific disciplines.

“This linking of the classical humanities with the life sciences, in particular biology, provides a springboard for innovative research activities and at the same time creates employment for specialized scientific personnel.

“The recent research into identifying the 18 civilians executed by the Nazis in Adele is a great example of how modern biomedical research can be directly linked to our culture and history. It opens a new window on our past, allowing us to gain decisive insights into important historical events with a major social impact.”