In Search of "Aryan Blood": Serology in Interwar and National Socialist Germany

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In Nazi Germany, basic civil rights—and ultimately the right to live—depended on whether one had “German blood.” Meticulous racial categorization of individuals as either “German-blooded” or “non-German-blooded” relied primarily upon documentation , such as birth and baptismal certificates. Labeling was compulsory, as everyone was required to carry identification indicating their race. However, in cases where parentage was in dispute or the necessary records were missing, the state often referred the matter to so-called “racial experts.” In one such instance in 1940, Fritz Lenz explained to a district court that he could not give an expert opinion without first testing the subject ’s blood type. The Ministry of Justice became involved and referred the matter to I H i s t o r y o f M e d i c i n e C E U P r e s s S t u d i e s i n t h e Rachel E. Boaz In Search of “Aryan Blood” Serology in Interwar and National Socialist Germany ...