Diatoms in Forensic Analysis

Abstract

Diatoms are single-celled organisms widely distributed in aquatic environments with several applications, such as oil exploration, environmental indications, microbial ecology or forensic examinations. In this chapter, we address forensic applications of diatom analysis, including the usefulness of the test in the diagnosis of drowning, identification of the drowning site, identification of the suspect and information about the time of death. We also address the sample preparation process and review the most used techniques for diatom analysis involving the digestion of tissues from specific organs to study (acid digestion, acid digestion in disorganization can, Soluene-350 digestion, enzymatic digestion, membrane filter methods and some novel techniques). Finally, we address some protocols in diatom analysis and histological findings in drowning.