On 28 September 2012 the Institute of National Remembrance - Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation and the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin signed an agreement on the Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism. The act of agreement was signed by Dr. Lukasz Kaminski, President of the Institute of National Remembrance and Prof. Andrzej Ciechanowicz, Rector of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin.
Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism is a strategic step of the research project "The search for unknown burial places of victims of the Communist terror in the years 1944-1956". The project includes activities such as IPN exhumations at the Powazki Cemetery. Simple methods for identification of victims, such as by objects of material culture and anthropological research, are no longer sufficient and it is necessary to genetically identify of victims. Scientific and technological development allows for the use of the latest methods of judicial genetics in the personal identification.
Genetic identification is determined by comparing the DNA profile from the genetic material coming from family members or DNA material derived from the personal belongings of the victims. Thus, creating the DNA database of comparative material of the victims and their relatives, becomes a crucial task. The database will allow for research in this field for many years. Creating the DNA database is the only chance to obtain appropriate reference material, eliminating the risk of passing time, which is of decisive importance.
Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism is the first of this type, such complex base in Europe. Russian Federation and Germany also plan to build similar databases, though of lesser size. It is also a unique operation worldwide. United States, United Kingdom, Australia possess similar databases, but of forensics kind.
Donations to support the functioning of Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism can be directed to the following account:
III Oddział w Szczecinie
06 1090 1492 0000 0001 0053 7752
marked " Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism"