The use of diatoms in forensic science: advantages and limitations of the diatom test in cases of drowning

2017 ◽  
pp. 261-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Levkov ◽  
D.M. Williams ◽  
D. Nikolovska ◽  
S. Tofilovska ◽  
Z. Cakar
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Diatom Test

Diatoms and Forensic Science

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 181-190
Author(s):  
Benjamin P. Horton
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Blood Stream ◽  
The Body ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Analogue Matching ◽  
Informal Assessment ◽  
Diatom Test ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Site Of Drowning

The application of diatom analysis in determining whether drowning was the cause of death has proved to be a valuable tool in forensic science. The basic principal of the “diatom test” in drowning is based on inference that diatoms are present in the medium where the possible drowning took place and that the inhalation of water causes penetration of diatoms into the alveolar system and blood stream, and thus, their deposition into the brain, kidneys, and other organs.I provide an informal assessment of “reliability” of the “diatom test” through correlations between control samples and samples from organs and clothing in two case studies. In studies, all organ and clothing samples except one had matching analogues in the modern diatom dataset from the body recovery sites, reinforcing drowning as the cause of death. The analogue matching provides further information on the precise site of drowning, in particular differentiating between drowning in a bathtub versus a naturally occurring body of water.

scholarly journals Study of Diatom Flora of Kaalesar Ghat of Rapti River at Gorakhpur for Forensic Consideration

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 555-559
Author(s):  
Ashutosh Mall
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Ecological Assessment ◽  
The Other ◽  
Diatom Species ◽  
Acid Digestion ◽  
Digestion Method ◽  
Diatom Flora ◽  
Diatom Test ◽  
Death By Drowning ◽  
Diagnosis Of Death

Abstract: Diatoms are unique algae. They are scientifically known as Bacillariophyceae. Diatoms have been used in forensic science in a variety of ways, the most frequent being the diagnosis of death by drowning. When a person drowns, water will enter the lungs and then enter the bloodstream through ruptures in the peripheral alveoli before being carried to the other organs such as the liver and heart. Naturally, the microscopic contents of the water, which will include diatoms, will pass into the blood as well. The detection of diatoms in the organs can contribute to a diagnosis of death by drowning, a process referred to as the ‘diatom test’. A study was conducted in the department of Forensic Science, SHUATS, Prayagraj which included the extraction and identification of diatoms from the collected water samples from three different sites of Kaalesar Ghat of Rapti River in Gorakhpur. The acid digestion method was used for diatom extraction. And, after analysis total 13 diatom species were found. The identified diatoms were of great ecological assessment that plays an important role in criminal investigations related to premortem or ante-mortem drowning. Keywords: Diatom, Drowning, D-mapping, Rapti-River

Sem/X-Ray Applications to the Forensic Science Field

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 390-391
Author(s):  
K. Culbreth
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Depth Of Field ◽  
Surface Phenomena ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Science Field ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hit And Run ◽  
Evaluation Of Evidence ◽  
Scanning Electron

The introduction of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis to forensic science has provided additional methods by which investigative evidence can be analyzed. The importance of evidence from the scene of a crime or from the personal belongings of a victim and suspect has resulted in the development and evaluation of SEM/x-ray analysis applications to various types of forensic evidence. The intent of this paper is to describe some of these applications and to relate their importance to the investigation of criminal cases.The depth of field and high resolution of the SEM are an asset to the evaluation of evidence with respect to surface phenomena and physical matches (1). Fig. 1 shows a Phillips screw which has been reconstructed after the head and shank were separated during a hit-and-run accident.

Forensic Identifications Aided by Scanning Electron Microscopy of Silicone-Epoxy Microreplicas of Calcified and Cornified Structures

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 678-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.F. Sognnaes
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Forensic Science ◽  
George Washington ◽  
Epithelial Surface ◽  
Extended Application ◽  
Tissue Surfaces ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Scanning Electron ◽  
Surface Changes

Sufficient experience has been gained during the past five years to suggest an extended application of microreplication and scanning electron microscopy to problems of forensic science. The author's research was originally initiated with a view to develop a non-destructive method for identification of materials that went into objects of art, notably ivory and ivories. This was followed by a very specific application to the identification and duplication of the kinds of materials from animal teeth and tusks which two centuries ago went into the fabrication of the ivory dentures of George Washington. Subsequently it became apparent that a similar method of microreplication and SEM examination offered promise for a whole series of problems pertinent to art, technology and science. Furthermore, what began primarily as an application to solid substances has turned out to be similarly applicable to soft tissue surfaces such as mucous membranes and skin, even in cases of acute, chronic and precancerous epithelial surface changes, and to post-mortem identification of specific structures pertinent to forensic science.

PROBLEMS AND TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT OF BRANCHES OF CRIMINALISTIC TECHNOLOGY

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitaliy Elyotnov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Forensic Photography ◽  
Forensic Research ◽  
Forensic Scientists ◽  
Further Development

The article examines the key provisions of traditional and developing branches of forensic technology as a branch of the forensic science. The article analyzes modern publications of domestic and foreign scientists dedicated to the problems of forensic technology. Discussion issues and gaps existing in the theory and practice of such branches of forensic technology as forensic photography and video recording, forensic phonoscopy, forensic traceology, forensic weapons science, forensic documentation, forensic research of substances, materials and products, forensic registration, etc. The opinions of individual forensic scientists on the resolution of controversial issues of forensic technology are given. The scientific directions that have not received at present recognition of independent branches of forensic technology are indicated. The promising areas of research in the framework of the branches of forensic technology are named, the main trends of its further development are formulated.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document