Forensic anthropologists from LJMU lead study into WWII massacre in Greece
Forensic anthropologists Dr Constantine Eliopoulos and Dr Matteo Borrini from LJMU’s School of Biological and Environmental Sciences have recently returned from Distomo, Greece, where they conducted a preliminary forensic survey of skeletal remains belonging to victims of the 1944 Nazi massacre.
This initial investigation, carried out in June 2025 and funded by the Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center (HHRRC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), represents the first systematic forensic study of one of the darkest episodes of the Second World War in Greece.
On 10 June 1944, Nazi troops executed more than 200 civilians, predominantly women, children, and elderly men, in retaliation for local resistance activity. The massacre is widely recognised as one of the most tragic instances of unlawful reprisal against non-combatants during the German occupation.
During their visit, Dr Eliopoulos and Dr Borrini met with officials in Distomo to discuss the scientific documentation of this atrocity and toured the newly opened Museum of the Distomo Massacre and the Mausoleum, where the victims’ remains are housed.
The pilot survey focused on assessing the condition of the exhumed skeletal remains, evaluating the potential for forensic and ballistic analyses, and establishing protocols for a comprehensive anthropological study.
Preliminary findings confirmed that the remains belong overwhelmingly to non-combatants, such as very young children, adult females, and elderly males, supporting historical accounts that the victims posed no military threat.
Examination of the bones indicated traumatic head injuries in many of the victims as a result of gunshots, likely involving military-grade ammunition. Further ballistic and forensic analyses are planned to identify weapon types, trajectories, and calibres, which could provide crucial evidence for reconstructing the events of 10 June 1944 and documenting war crimes.
The study also revealed a moderate level of bone mixing likely caused by the original burial conditions. Future work will involve efforts to restore the individual identities of victims where possible.
This collaborative project brings together experts from LJMU, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and the University of West Attica, with contributions from Professor Konstantinos Moraitis (forensic anthropology) and Professor Georgios Panagiaris (conservation of antiquities), respectively.
Dr Eliopoulos and Dr Borrini expressed their satisfaction with the success of the pilot phase and confirmed that applications for additional funding are underway to enable a full-scale investigation. This next phase will not only expand the scientific documentation of the massacre but will also support the integration of forensic findings into the Distomo Memorial Museum, returning dignity to the victims and contributing to Greece’s historical and humanitarian record.
This project represents a landmark in the scientific documentation of wartime atrocities in Greece.
Forensic anthropology offers an independent means of verifying the historical record and giving voice to the victims through evidence.
Dr Eliopoulos
Dr Borrini added: “Our work in Distomo is a powerful reminder of how science can serve human rights, historical accountability, and the memory of those who suffered.”
The AAFS HHRRC’s support has been instrumental in initiating this long-overdue investigation, fostering international collaboration in the service of justice, remembrance, and education. This project exemplifies LJMU’s and the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences’ commitment to advancing humanitarian and human rights research, reflecting the university’s core values of integrity, inclusion, and global citizenship in the pursuit of truth and peace.
