Gaul trawler crew DNA test results 'in January' after human remains found in Russia

Families of the lost crew of the Gaul could know the results of DNA tests on human remains discovered in Russia by the end of January. Up to ten bodies are being examined after they were discovered buried under rocks in the Murmansk region of Russia.

The crew of the Gaul was lost when the trawler disappeared during a fierce storm in February 1974. The vessel was lost in the Barents Sea, 70 miles off Norway, with the loss of her entire 36-man crew.

Now, Russian authorities have agreed to send over samples to the UK for testing after relatives of the crewmen were swabbed to compare their DNA to the remains.

One relative, who lost their father aboard the Gaul but asked not to be named, said: "The latest update is that the Russians have agreed to send samples to the UK for our authorities to do some DNA tests."

Humberside Police, who are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Russian Authorities, have confirmed progress has been made.

A spokesman said: "The methods applied so far have been unable to extract DNA samples from the available bones and examinations are continuing.

"The Russians have indicated that the approximate date for genetic analysis completion is December; however, advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is that this is likely to be January.

"The Russian authorities have indicated that they are considering providing samples for place of origin and DNA testing.

"We are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office how best to resolve this on behalf of the families but this is anticipated to be a lengthy process."

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Leaver, of Humberside Police, has already confirmed the sheaths found with the remains are unlikely to belong to Russian nationals.

He had said: "There were sheaths found among the remains and the leather is of a very good quality, which is better than that used by the Russian military or the local fishermen at the time. That leans towards them not being from Russia."

The Mail understands the sheaths were commonly used by Hull fishermen.

Having found out about the remains in September last year, Humberside Police decided to tell the families this month.

The remains had initially been found on the Rybachy peninsula in the Murmansk region of Russia in the mid-1970s by people living nearby.

The bodies reportedly washed ashore in 1974 or 1975 and were then buried by locals under rocks as the ground was too hard to dig holes. They were rediscovered 18 months ago by a local researcher, who is aware of the Gaul. He and his team are known to often do a sweep of the peninsula where bodies are regularly washed up and the locals told him about the burials.

He then alerted the Russian authorities and made his findings public.

The current role of Humberside Police is to support the families and then ensure the tests are carried out. The force admits it will take time to establish whether the remains belong to crew members from the Gaul.

Saturday 28 December 2013

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