Study of Forensic Significance and Diversity ...

Study of Forensic Significance and Diversity of Diatoms in Hatkanangale district, Maharashtra

Author Name : Ms. Sushama S. Desai, Mr. Gaurav A. Varade, Ms. Piyusha P. Rajguru

ABSTRACT

Diatoms play an important role in diagnosis of death in drowning cases. Diatoms are microscopic unicellular autotrophic algae containing silica and having distinct geometrical shapes. Diatoms have a number of characteristics like their widespread availability, high diversity, habitat specificity and have a good potential for preservation and thus this group can be used in forensic analysis for criminal investigations. If the diatoms are present in the medium where drowning occurred, the penetration of diatoms into the alveolar system and bloodstream occurs thus diatoms get transported to different organs of the body such as bone marrow, brain, kidney, lungs and hard bones (femur). The presence of diatoms inside the body of the drowned victim may serve as conclusive evidence in the court. It can be used to figure out the place of drowning and primary and secondary crime scenes, to identify cause of death, and time of the year during which death has occurred. Diatoms can resist putrefaction, so the diatom test is more valuable in cases where decomposition is advanced and post-mortem symptoms of drowning have diminished. Forensic limnology is a sub field of forensic botany, which examines the presence of Diatom in crime scene samples and victims.

Keywords: Bone marrow; Diatoms; Drowning; Forensic limnology