From December 1943 until October 1944, experiments were conducted at the Buchenwald concentration camp to test the effects of chemical poisons on humans. The poison was administered to subjects in their food. Most victims died quickly, or were killed so their organs could be examined postmortem. Beginning in September 1944, subjects were shot with poison-laced bullets to test their effect on humans. Most died as a result of the poison or from the wounds.
The defendants Genzken, Gebhardt, Mrugowsky, and Poppendick are charged with special responsibility for and participation in these crimes