The most frequent application of diatoms in forensic science is in the diagnosis of death by drowning. Drowning is a very common accidental and suicidal cause of death, and thousands die each year in this fashion.
The word diatom literally means “ cut in to two”. Diatoms are a type of algae. There are 16000 species of diatoms have been found and recorded but there can be thousands of them yet to be found. These are unicellular organism and they can be found either as single cells or as colonies. The primary feature which is used to distinguish diatoms from other type of algae is the silicified cell wall. Diatoms are widely distributed in both fresh and salt water. Certain species of diatoms are only found in fresh water whereas others are only found in the salt water.
Drowning is the result of totally submersion or partially submersion in a fluid such as water. Mechanism of drowning is complex and is modified by the medium and other factors. In the majority, the inhalation of fluid, thereby obstructing the air passage, is the essential cause of death.
When a person is drowned, fluid containing various micro-organism and the other particles enter the lung. Through the lung these organisms enter the blood stream thereby travel to the various site of the body including liver, kidney and bone marrow. These organisms including diatoms can be isolated by using various tests. This will help to recognize the site of the drowning, time since death and to differentiate accidental drowning from suicidal one.
The word diatom literally means “ cut in to two”. Diatoms are a type of algae. There are 16000 species of diatoms have been found and recorded but there can be thousands of them yet to be found. These are unicellular organism and they can be found either as single cells or as colonies. The primary feature which is used to distinguish diatoms from other type of algae is the silicified cell wall. Diatoms are widely distributed in both fresh and salt water. Certain species of diatoms are only found in fresh water whereas others are only found in the salt water.
Drowning is the result of totally submersion or partially submersion in a fluid such as water. Mechanism of drowning is complex and is modified by the medium and other factors. In the majority, the inhalation of fluid, thereby obstructing the air passage, is the essential cause of death.
When a person is drowned, fluid containing various micro-organism and the other particles enter the lung. Through the lung these organisms enter the blood stream thereby travel to the various site of the body including liver, kidney and bone marrow. These organisms including diatoms can be isolated by using various tests. This will help to recognize the site of the drowning, time since death and to differentiate accidental drowning from suicidal one.
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