An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining the consistency of a database including indirect reference to data elements. There is provided an apparatus for determining consistency of a database. This database includes, in association with each data element, an indirect list element including a storage address of the associated or corresponding data element so that other data elements can reference that data element. This apparatus reads, from each data element, identification information of an indirect list element corresponding to that data element and generates a hash value. This apparatus further reads, from each data element, identification information of an indirect list element corresponding to a data element referenced by that data element and generates a hash value. On condition that these hash values are equivalent to each other, the apparatus determines that the database is consistent.