In November 1942 Burdenko was appointed a member of the Extraordinary State Commission . He investigated various Nazi crimes , including attacks on medical personnel , hospital trains and Red Cross units . He also headed the special commission of forensic medical examination that revealed atrocities committed during the Nazi occupation of the Smolensk and Oryol Oblast where over 215 000 Soviet civilians were murdered . In January 1944 he headed a special commission that investigated the Katyn massacre . Based on the autopsy performed by 75 doctors , evidences found on corpses and testimony collected from witnesses the commission reported that the massacre happened during the autumn of 1941 and that methods used to kill Polish officers were identical to those used by German forces during occupation of Soviet cities . Documented materials were entered into evidence at the Nuremberg trial . Burdenko 's name also appeared on the official Soviet report regarding the Auschwitz concentration camp as document USSR-008
Katyn massacre
Katyn massacre
Nikolay Burdenko