Collecting DNA samples contributes significantly to perfecting the national database while kindling hope to rediscover identities for heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland.

Nậm Nèn commune currently counts 9 martyrs, including 2 martyrs with clearly identified graves and 7 martyrs with unconfirmed graves. Through reviews, 6 martyrs meet eligibility conditions to collect samples for remains identification, and 11 relatives meet eligibility conditions for DNA sampling. Under regulations, each martyr requires sample collection from 2 relatives, including 1 case where 1 relative provides samples for 2 martyrs.

To guarantee sample collection proceeds smoothly and follows correct workflows, Nậm Nèn commune police proactively coordinated with professional units under the Điện Biên provincial Police to review, list, disseminate, and guide martyrs’ relatives to participate. On July 24, commune police forces organized transporting 10 relatives to Tủa Chùa commune for DNA sampling, and one day later continued coordinating with Division PC06 of the Điện Biên provincial Police to collect a sample for 1 relative in Điện Biên Phủ ward.

Đặng Anh Tuấn, Chairman of the Nậm Nèn commune People’s Committee, emphasized that during execution, commune police forces devotedly disseminated and explained the humane significance of DNA sampling, helping families clearly understand this serves as a crucial foundation to build a DNA database for cross-referencing and identifying remains of martyrs lacking information, contributing to satisfying long-standing family longings to find loved ones.

Through proactivity and responsibility, Nậm Nèn commune police forces collected over 10 DNA samples from martyrs’ relatives. An urgent, decisive spirit in collecting DNA samples was also clearly reflected across Mường Chà, Chà Tở, and Si Pa Phìn communes. Responding to the “500-day-and-night Campaign” to boost searching, gathering, and identifying martyrs’ remains, police across the 3 communes actively coordinated with professional units to organize DNA sampling for local martyrs’ relatives.

Lieutenant Colonel Lèng Văn Tuân, Chief of Mường Chà commune police, noted that across the 3 communes of Mường Chà, Chà Tở, and Si Pa Phìn, there are 16 martyrs, and for relatives within sampling capabilities, forces mobilized them to commune centers for sampling, adding that proactive reviewing, mobilization, and suitable time arrangements enabled police forces across the 3 communes to collect 16 out of 16 DNA samples from martyrs’ relatives.

Executing guidelines from the Party, State, and Ministry of Public Security on deploying identity databases linked with DNA data to serve searching and identifying remains of martyrs lacking information, from July 24 to 26, the Điện Biên provincial Police deployed DNA sample collection across 11 commune clusters, leading over 420 relatives to agree to participate and functional agencies to collect over 390 DNA samples.

Those figures hold added significance within the overall “500-day-and-night Campaign” to boost searching, gathering, and identifying martyrs’ remains. Under deployment results, as of August 6, the entire province excavated 2,627 cases, with 1,967 cases remaining unexcavated, and among collected samples, 2,443 out of 2,540 samples were eligible while 184 samples were ineligible for sampling.

By July 17, total martyrs’ remains samples handed over to the Forensic Institute exceeded 1,820 DNA samples, and by the end of August 6, total samples handed over to the provincial Forensic Center exceeded 620 DNA samples. Across highland, remote areas with difficult transport, functional forces directly visiting grassroots levels to review each case, disseminate, mobilize, and support martyrs’ relatives in conducting DNA sampling carries practical significance.

The journey to search, gather, and identify martyrs’ remains faces numerous difficulties, particularly for cases sacrificed decades ago with lost dossiers and incomplete information regarding relatives and graves. However, with determination across levels and sectors, responsible involvement from functional forces, and public consensus and coordination, information gaps are step-by-step receiving full completion.

Each collected DNA sample becomes precious data serving professional work, entrusting family longings and today’s generation’s gratitude toward those who heroically sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. Collecting DNA from martyrs’ relatives stands as a practical action demonstrating the moral tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source,” contributing to bringing martyrs home to their correct names, native lands, and families.