A New Procedure for Diatom Extraction in the Diagnosis of Drowning

Fucci, Nadia

doi:10.4172/2161-1459.1000110

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Regarding the taxonomic composition (Fig. 2), the genera that had greatest number of valves were Pinnularia (38 specimens), which are benthic (epipelic) organisms [21], followed by Fragilaria (14), Actinocyclus (12), Cocconeis (5) and Encyonema (4). In the lung fragment, we found 32 genera, 6 species and 11 morphotypes, which due to its position in the chamber could not be identified.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Diatoms in lung tissue: first investigation in Brazil in proving death by drowning

Carneiro¹,

Torgan²,

Vaz³

et al. 2017

Rev. Bras. Crimin.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ResumoAs diatomáceas são microalgas amplamente distribuídas em águas continentais e marinhas e durante o afogamento são inaladas juntamente com a água, dispersando-se pela circulação sanguínea para diversos órgãos internos da vítima. A investigação objetivou avaliar as diatomáceas extraídas de tecidos de pulmão de um indivíduo com diagnóstico de morte por afogamento, comparando com as que são encontradas no ambiente, com o fim de comprovar a causa-mortis e o local de afogamento. Um fragmento de pulmão de 17,9 gramas retirado da vítima foi oxidado e preparado para identificação e quantificação das diatomáceas ao microscópio invertido. Um total de 133 valvas de diatomáceas foram encontradas, sendo 85% pertencentes a formas penadas e 15% a cêntricas. Pinnularia, um gênero bentônico, apresentou maior número de valvas, seguido por Fragilaria, Actinocyclus, Cocconeis e Encyonema. Esses resultados revelaram que a vítima afogou-se no fundo, inalando água e sedimento com diatomáceas. Trata-se de primeira investigação dessa natureza realizada no Brasil.Palavras-Chave: Diatomáceas; Microalgas; Afogamento; Pulmão. AbstractDiatoms are microalgae widely distributed in inland and marine waters and during drowning they are inhaled together with water, passing through the bloodstream to various internal organs of a victim. Our investigation aimed to evaluate the diatoms extra cted from the lung tissues of an individual with drowning diagnosis and compare them to those found in the environment, in order to prove the cause of death and the drowning site. A left lung fragment of 17.9 grams removed from the victim was oxidized and prepared for diatoms identification and quantification using inverted microscope. A total of 133 diatoms valves was found, being 85% belong to pennate forms and 15% to centric forms. Pinnularia, a bentonic genus, had greatest number of valves, followed by Fragilaria, Actinocyclus, Cocconeis and Encyonema. These results revealed that the victim drowned at the bottom of the lake, inhaling both water and sediments with diatoms. This is the first investigation of this nature carried out in Brazil.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, drowning diagnostic studies using diatoms have advanced with the use of new methods of preparation and material analysis [12][13][14]. A review about the diagnosis of death by drowning using diatoms can be found in Donadel et al [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diatoms in lung tissue: first investigation in Brazil in proving death by drowning

Carneiro¹,

Torgan²,

Vaz³

et al. 2017

Rev. Bras. Crimin.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The advantage of this method was that there was a decrease in the presence of destroyed diatoms fragments. The study showed that the classical acid digestion method used for the detection of diatoms was very aggressive and destroyed the diatoms frustules [17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reverse Aqua Regia: A New Method For Extraction Of Diatoms From Human Tissue

Pal¹

2021

IJFP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background:The presence of diatoms in human tissues contributes significantly in determining the mode of death in drowning. Conventional acid digestion of tissues for extraction of diatoms is a time consuming and potentially hazardous technique. The various techniques of extraction and analysis affect the identification of diatoms from human tissues. We have developed and tested a new method which is a simple, safe, time saving, economical extraction technique and extracts diatoms rapidly by removing the extracellular and intracellular organic matter from the siliceous frustules of diatoms. The method was compared with other conventional methods of extraction. This method provides results within 2-3 hours from the tissue samples of suspected drowning cases without interfering with microscopic observation and may be useful in current forensic practices. Materials and methods:The lung tissue samples and bone marrow from bones (femur and sternum) of 66 human cases suspected for drowning death were taken. The human tissue samples of humans were analyzed by the modified reverse aqua regia digestion method and the conventional acid digestion method simultaneously. Results: The results showed that the modified reverse aqua regia digestion method was less time consuming having very strong digestive ability with less impurity as the structure of diatoms remained almost intact, diatoms were identified with clear striations and the recovery rate was higher as compared to conventional acid digestion method. Conclusion:The modified reverse aqua regia acid digestion method is a new scientific approach in the field of forensic diatomology as this is simple and rapid procedure that produces more effective results.

show abstract

“…28 In the acid digestion method, there are some limitations and drawbacks due to the strong treatment of acids as the structure of diatoms may be destruct meanwhile an improved method were also developed that results good recovery and the ratio was defined as 3:1 of nitric acid to hydrochloric for the extraction of diatoms. [29][30][31][32]…”

Section: Extraction Of Diatoms From Water Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic significance in the cases of drowning deaths: An elaborative study

Chaudhary¹,

Dhingra²

2022

IJFMTS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Drowning is a form of asphyxia which is caused by submersion/immersion of the body in water or any other fluid that occurs due to the aspiration of fluid into air passages and is mostly accidental. The main question arises in the case of a body recovered from water is whether the individual was alive at the time he entered water. If a body is found in water is does not necessarily mean, that this person has drowned. The bodily external and internal findings are necessary in medicolegal investigation of drowning deaths. Drowning is difficult to determine and are often diagnosed by eliminating other potential causes of death whereas diatom test is significant for the concluding analysis of drowning deaths. Diatoms found inside the body may serve as corroborative evidence in the diagnosis of the cause of drowning death. It can be ascertained whether the drowning is ante-mortem or post-mortem. The diatom test considered as the only tool to examine drowning cases. The present study highlights some specific points to drag conclusive results in the investigation of deaths due to drowning.

show abstract

A New Procedure for Diatom Extraction in the Diagnosis of Drowning

Cited by 9 publications

References 15 publications

Diatoms in lung tissue: first investigation in Brazil in proving death by drowning

Diatoms in lung tissue: first investigation in Brazil in proving death by drowning

Reverse Aqua Regia: A New Method For Extraction Of Diatoms From Human Tissue

Forensic significance in the cases of drowning deaths: An elaborative study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About