Research PaperSearching for the mother missed since the Second World War

•Genetic identification attempt of a human cranium from a Second World War gravesite in Slovenia.•Genetic and anthropological examinations were carried out.•Autosomal and Y-chromosomal genetic profiles revealed the male origin of the cranium.•Anthropological analysis identified the cranium as that of a very young Caucasoid male.•The male origin of the cranium rejected the possibility of motherhood for the compared daughter.

The aim of the study was to perform the genetic identification of a human cranium from a Second World War gravesite in Slovenia and find out if it belonged to the mother of a woman used as a family reference. Both genetic and anthropological examinations were carried out. The genetic examination was performed on 2 molars and petrous bone. Prior to DNA isolation 0.5 g of tooth and bone powder was decalcified. The DNA was purified in a Biorobot EZ1 (Qiagen) device. The nuclear DNA of the samples was quantified and short tandem repeat (STR) typing performed using two different autosomal and Y-STR kits. Up to 22.4 ng DNA/g of powder was obtained from samples analyzed. We managed to obtain nuclear DNA for successful STR typing from the left second molar and from the petrous bone. Full autosomal genetic profile including amelogenin locus revealed the male origin of the cranium that was further confirmed by the analyses of Y-STRs. The same conclusions were adopted after the anthropological analysis which identified the cranium as that of a very young Caucasoid male. The male origin of the cranium rejected the possibility of motherhood for the compared daughter. For traceability in the event of contamination, we created an elimination database including genetic profiles of the nuclear and Y-STRs of all persons that had been in contact with the analyzed cranium and no match was found.

Graphical abstractThe human cranium from a Second World War gravesite (left) with the male autosomal genetic profile of the petrous bone (right).Download high-res image (425KB)Download full-size image