DNA analysis of the last Brazilian unknown soldier’s remains buried in Pistoia (Italy)

Abstract

During World War II, many nations took part in the war. Among the supporters of the Alliance there was also Brazil. In August 1944, under the leadership of President Getúlio Vargas, Brazil declared war on Nazi Germany and took part in the Italian campaign by sending many troops to support the Allies in the Central Italy. Once the conflict was over, the deceased Brazilian soldiers were buried in Pistoia, a few kilometers from Florence. But only in 1960 the Brazilian government authorized the transfer of the dead soldiers to their homeland. Five years later, during the building of the Brazilian Military Votive Monument, still in the Pistoia cemetery, a last body was found but could not be identified: so he was buried as an “unknown soldier”. In December 2012, the Brazilian Embassy in Italy asked for performing forensic genetics analysis for identification purposes on the remains of this last unknown Brazilian soldier. After almost 70 years a complete short tandem repeats (STR) profile was obtained, useful for any relatives searching. Key points: Identification of the last Brazilian Unknown Soldier buried in Italy. DNA analysis on 70 years old skeletal remains. Brazilian soldier’s history during World War II.

Keywords

• forensic sciences
• forensic genetics
• body remains
• bone
• tooth
• str polymorphisms
• world war ii