Forensic archaeology in Lithuania: the Tuskulënai mass grave

• Teismo archeologija: Tuskulënø masinë kapavietë
• Teismo archeologija: Tuskulėnų masinė kapavietė

LTStraipsnyje pateikiami KGB bûstinëje Vilniuje 1944–1947 m. nuþudytø asmenø ekshumacijos, tyrimo ir identifikacijos re zultatai. 1994 ir 1995 metais bendradarbiaujant archeolo gams ir antropologams buvo ekshumuoti 706 skeletai, o 2003 m. rasti dar 18-os asmenø palaikai. Kiekvienas skele tas buvo iðtirtas pagal áprastiná teismo medicinos protokolà. Tuo pat metu buvo tiriami KGB archyvai, analizuojami gi miniø laiðkai bei kiti duomenys. Tokiu bûdu buvo sudarytos ir vëliau lyginamos dvi duomenø bazës. Ið viso kapavietëje rasta 720 vyrø ir 4 moterø palaikai, kuriø amþius – nuo 19 iki 66 metø. Palyginus individualius skeletø duomenis su duomenimis ið KGB bylø bei atlikus kaukoliø/fotoportretø videosugretinimà, identifikuoti 45 asmenys. Rekonstruotos egzekucijø bei elgesio su palaikais detalës. 97% kaukoliø tu rëjo perimortaliniø suþalojimø – daþniausiai vienos ar keliø kulkø, taip pat durtiniø ir pjautiniø/kirstiniø bei bukais daik tais padarytø suþalojimø. Iðaiðkintos kûnø uþkasimo aplinky bës. Asmenys, nuþudyti 1944–1945, 1945–1946 ir 1946–1947 metø vëlyvà rudená, þiemà bei ankstyvà pavasará, buvo uþ kasami buvusiame garaþe (vëliau nugriautame), nes ten þe më ðaltuoju metø laiku maþiau áðalusi. 1945 m. vasarà nu þudytieji buvo uþkasami lauke (atskira 8 duobiø eilë, kûnai buvo apipilti dezinfekuojanèiais chemikalais). Laidojimo duobiø árengimas ir tvarkinga seka patvirtina planingas eg zekucijas. Daroma iðvada, kad glaudus teisësaugos ástaigø, teismo medicinos ir archeologijos specialistø bendradarbia vimas masiniø kapavieèiø tyrimo metu yra bûtina sëkmingo aukø identifikavimo sàlyga.

ENThe aim of the paper is to present results of exhumation, examination and identification of remains of individuals executed in KGB headquarters in Vilnius in 1944–47. Materials and methods. During 1994 and 1995, 706 skeletons were exhumed by archaeologists and anthropologists, and 18 more skeletons were found in 2003. Each skeleton was analysed according to routine forensic protocols. Parallelly, research in KGB archives, analysis of letters of relatives and other documentary data was conducted and two data sets compared. Results. In total, 720 males and 4 females, age range from 19 to 66 years, were found. During cross-matching of individual data from KGB files and skull/portrait superimposition, 45 individuals were identified. Details of execution and the way of handling of bodies were reconstructed. 97 percent of skulls had perimortal lesions were usually single or multiple bullet wounds, as well as stabbed and cut/strike wounds and lesions caused by blunt force. Discussion. Details of the deposition of bodies were also elucidated. Individuals executed in late autumn/winter/early spring of 1944/45, 1945/46 and 1946/47 were inhumed in former garage (later demolished), as the ground there was less frozen and easier to dig during the cold season. The construction of inhumation pits and their regular position prove the planned manner of executions. Individuals executed in the summer of 1945 were inhumed outside (a separate row of 8 pits, bodies covered with corrosive disinfecting chemicals). Conclusion: a close collaboration of professionals from legal institutions, forensic medicine and archaeology in all stages of mass grave investigation is essential in victim identification process. Keywords: forensic anthropology, mass graves, KGB victims, Lithuania.