Listen to “Diatoms and Drowning”
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You find a body in a river. Decomposition is advanced. How can forensic investigators determine whether the victim drowned right there or was murdered and dumped there? Is the diatom test a reliable way to convict or acquit someone in a court of law? Enter the beautiful kaleidoscope world of these tiny algae and how they might be able to assist in murder investigations.
Diatoms truly are a marvel.
Image: labroots.com
The collection of diatoms from an aquatic murder scene can assist in catching the killer.
Image: McCrone Group
Episode Sources:
- Ago, K., et al. (2011). The number of diatoms from the lungs and other organs in drowning deaths in bathwater. (Legal Medicine).
- Anand, T.P., et al. (2016). Diatom test: a reliable tool to assess death by drowning? (International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences).
- Horton, B.P. (2006). The development and application of a diatom-based quantitative reconstruction technique in forensic science. (Journal of Forensic Science).
- Hurlimann, J., et al. (2000). Diatom detection in the diagnosis of death by drowning (International Journal of Legal Medicine).
- Magni, P.A., et al., (2015). Alibi verification using diatoms (American Academy for Forensic Sciences - Florida).
- Rana, A, et al. (2018) Significance of diatoms in diagnosis of drowning deaths: A review (Lupine Publishers)
- Diatoms.org
- Forensicreader.com
- Indianexpress.com
- Tandfonline.com
- Deepseanews.com
- Livescience.com
- Popsci.com
- Mccrone.com
- Labroots.com
- Condor.depaul.edu
- Wikipedia
- Logo images courtesy of Canva - Collaborate and Create Amazing Graphic Design for FREE! Canva.com
Inspired by National Geographic’s article:
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