In 1918, the Russian Tsar Nicholas II was deposed, and he and his family were reportedly executed and buried in a shallow grave. During this chaotic time, rumors abounded that the youngest daughter, Anastasia, had escaped. In 1920, a woman in Germany claimed to be Anastasia. In 1979, remains were recovered for the tsar, his wife (the Tsarina Alexandra), and three of their children, but not Anastasia. How would you evaluate the claim of the women in Germany?

Question

Snowball

Biology

14 December, 16:15

In 1918, the Russian Tsar Nicholas II was deposed, and he and his family were reportedly executed and buried in a shallow grave. During this chaotic time, rumors abounded that the youngest daughter, Anastasia, had escaped. In 1920, a woman in Germany claimed to be Anastasia. In 1979, remains were recovered for the tsar, his wife (the Tsarina Alexandra), and three of their children, but not Anastasia. How would you evaluate the claim of the women in Germany?

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Dorian Carter · Answer 1

This can be evaluated with DNA test - by comparing the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the Tsar family with the woman-Anastasia. Maternal DNA is inherited uninterrupted from generation to generation

Explanation:

The living consort of Queen of Elizabeth, Prince Philip, is a grand nephew of Tsar Nicholas 11. They shared the same maternal ancestry.

Therefore, his mitochondrial must be maternal, and compatible with that of the Tsar Nicholar. Male children always inherit maternal mitochondria (mtDNA) and passed from generations to generation.

The blood samples of prince Philip can be taken, to extract the mtDNA, and matched with the sample of mtDNA obtained from the exhumed bodies of the Tsars, to reaffirmed the compatibility of the ancestry.

If sample of the compatible mtDNA, from price Phillip was compared with the mtDNA of the woman who claimed to be Anastasia, her claim can be validated.

Matched sample shows she was the daughter, while negative result proves otherwise.