Collecting DNA samples - an opportunity to identify martyrs

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - The activity of collecting DNA samples from relatives of martyrs whose identities have not been determined is one of the efforts to concretize the policy of "Repaying gratitude" of the Party and State. Promoting the pioneering and exemplary role in implementing Project 06 of the Government, Thanh Hoa Police have systematically and resolutely implemented the task of collecting and updating information to serve the implementation of collecting DNA samples for relatives of martyrs whose identities have not been determined, meeting the expectations of many martyrs' families in the province.

The police force fully arranged the reception desk, directly guiding people to declare documents to collect DNA samples.

Thanh Hoa has more than 15,000 martyrs buried in martyr cemeteries nationwide, including more than 7,000 graves of unidentified martyrs. Implementing the direction of the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province on implementing the Project to identify the remains of martyrs with missing information through DNA testing, in the first peak period from May 12 to 16, 2025, Thanh Hoa police force did not hesitate to set foot in every rural area, from the plains, urban areas to the most remote mountainous areas of the province to collect DNA samples for relatives of unidentified martyrs. In just 5 days of deployment, the provincial police collected 933 DNA samples for cases of martyrs' biological mothers and 1 case of a close relative on the mother's side of the martyr. From these DNA samples, together with the efforts of all levels, sectors and the police force, we have initially identified two martyrs from Thanh Hoa whose DNA matches the remains of martyrs buried at Duc Co cemetery (Gia Lai). This result not only eases the pain of loss for the martyrs’ families but also kindles hope for the families in their journey to find the remains of martyrs.

Continuing to implement the direction of the Ministry of Public Security and the Provincial People's Committee, from July 3 to 20, 2025, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police continued to deploy the second peak period with the goal of collecting 35,626 DNA samples of relatives of unidentified martyrs in the whole province. In order to collect effectively, police units and forces in the province established working groups, fully and thoughtfully prepared equipment and facilities to actively and proactively coordinate with functional forces to review, make lists, collect complete and accurate information of martyrs' relatives to serve the construction of information data, update DNA information into the National Population Database. In addition to directly going to each house to collect DNA samples for the elderly and lonely, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police have deployed many working groups, dividing the area for centralized collection.

With the aim of creating the most favorable conditions for the martyrs' relatives in the process of going to the sample collection points, the police force has proactively contacted and coordinated with local authorities to arrange vehicles to pick up elderly and weak relatives to the centralized sample collection points. At the same time, they have arranged dedicated staff to support the reception and guide the martyrs' relatives to declare information fully and in accordance with regulations and to take biological samples quickly and safely to ensure that no one is left out or confused during the process of collecting DNA data - a key step in the journey to identify the martyrs with missing information.

Arriving very early at the DNA sample collection point in Ha Trung commune, Mrs. Tran Thi Hop could not hide her excitement. She said: For more than 10 years, I have been tirelessly searching for the grave of my brother - martyr Tran Van Ban, born in 1948, who died in 1972 on the Dong Nai battlefield. Although I have searched many places, I have returned in vain. Up to now, my family has not found his grave. When I heard that the police force came to the commune to collect DNA samples, I was very happy, and my family had more hope of finding him.

At the DNA sample collection points in Bim Son and Quang Trung wards, along with 159 relatives of martyrs whose DNA samples were collected this time, the family of martyr Nguyen Thien Khiem (born in 1945, died in Gia Lai in 1965) had 2 cases whose samples were collected: the martyr's sister and younger brother. For nearly 60 years, the family had no means to search, only asking acquaintances and relatives to inquire but in vain. Information about the place of sacrifice was unclear, the grave was still missing. Now, when the DNA sample was collected, the family has a ray of hope - that the journey to find their loved ones may have a result after many years of waiting.

Collecting DNA samples for martyrs’ relatives is not only a technical procedure, but also a deep gratitude, a practical action to preserve history and morality. With a sense of responsibility and gratitude, in the coming days, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police will continue to deploy centralized collection teams in 166 communes and wards in the province (including Saturdays and Sundays, regardless of day or night) with the motto “not missing any sample, not mistaking any relative”.

Article and photos: Quoc Huong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thu-nhan-mau-adn-co-hoi-de-xac-dinh-danh-tinh-liet-si-254244.htm