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Tyr A, Zilg B, Gelius T, Möllby R, Heldring N. Postmortem CT analysis of paranasal sinuses using an experimental model of drowning. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:1401-1409. [PMID: 38351206 PMCID: PMC11164805 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03173-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Fluid-filled paranasal sinuses are suggested to be a valuable tool to distinguish between drowning and non-drowning postmortem, yet the mechanisms governing fluid entry remains unknown. We investigate if fluid-filled paranasal sinuses are caused by a passive influx from submersion or an active aspiration mechanism during drowning. The ovine nasal cavity and maxillary sinuses are remarkably similar anatomically to humans, and have been used for endoscopic surgical training in recent decades. We submerged 15 decapitated ovine heads from agricultural waste at a depth of 2 m in flowing water for 1, 8, and 24 h and 7 days. Paranasal sinuses were CT imaged and compared pre- and post-submersion to non-submerged controls. Furthermore, we examined the paranasal sinuses of a single homicide case of a non-drowned submerged subject. Results demonstrate that fluid passively enters the maxillary sinus postmortem in the non-drowned ovine heads following 1 h of submersion. Fluid volume was independent of submersion time and influenced by time out of water as well as handling, since volume was reduced between consecutive CT scans. In contrast to our hypothesis, the filling of the paranasal sinuses is due to passive influx of fluid from submersion rather than an active aspiration during drowning. The observation that paranasal sinuses were fluid-filled in a single medico-legal case of postmortem submersion supports the finding of passive influx. Consequently, careful interpretation of fluid-filled paranasal sinuses is required when bodies are found in water, as the finding cannot distinguish between postmortem submersion and drowning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Tyr
- Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine, Retzius v. 5, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Brita Zilg
- Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine, Retzius v. 5, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Retzius v. 3, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tobias Gelius
- Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine, Retzius v. 5, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rasmus Möllby
- Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine, Retzius v. 5, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nina Heldring
- Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine, Retzius v. 5, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Retzius v. 3, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
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Badu IK, Asante D, Agyemang ED, Kwaku Duah K, Adokoh CK, Girela-Lopez E. Diatoms in maggots; a potential tool for drowning diagnosis - A preliminary study. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2024:258024241241374. [PMID: 38557251 DOI: 10.1177/00258024241241374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Advanced putrefaction causes extensive loss of soft tissue, rendering it difficult to use the diatom test as a reliable diagnostic tool for drowning investigations. A positive diatom test in carrion insect larvae may provide significant assistance in overcoming the challenge of decomposition. The studies determined the utility of diatom test in carrion larvae on severely decomposed bodies. A modified acid digestion method involving nitric acid, K2Cr2O7 and HCl, was used to digest the blowfly larvae feeding on piglet carrion previously drowned in freshwater and sea water, respectively. Extracted diatom frustules were analysed and characterised using light microscopy coupled to a digital camera. Diatoms recovered from maggots on sea-drowned piglets were similar to diatoms from sea water (drowning medium). Centric diatoms recovered in maggots were higher (200 ± 60 diatoms/ mL) than pennate diatoms (80 ± 20 diatoms/mL). Isolated diatoms common to both maggots and water samples included Coscinodiscus sp. and Navicular spp. Albeit, there were no diatoms recovered from maggots on freshwater-drowned piglets. The findings of this study suggest that the diatom test is still a reliable diagnostic tool to determine if drowning was involved in the death of a fully decomposed body. This is the first study that isolated diatoms from maggots feeding on drowned bodies. It serves as the basis for further research into the utility of maggots for drowning investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- I K Badu
- Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - D Asante
- Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - E D Agyemang
- Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - K Kwaku Duah
- Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - C K Adokoh
- Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - E Girela-Lopez
- Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
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Dervišević E, Katica M, Mašić E, Čamdžić N, Ajanović Z, Dervišević L, Salihbegović A, Sarajlić N. Bone and Tooth: Substrates for determining Drowning: A new diagnostic procedure in forensic medicine Practice? Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 66:102366. [PMID: 38039660 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diatom tests are rarely used during autopsy to confirm drowning as the cause of death (COD) because of limitations of the current literature involving these techniques. Instead, experts rely on physical examination by the pathologist. Due to interpretive concerns regarding Diatom tests, they are often insufficient in establishing a diagnosis, but offer the potential to be an extremely useful diagnostic tool with further understanding. The aim of study is to optimize "Diatom Tests" for use in forensic medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS A randomized prospective experimental study was conducted, using albino Wistar rat models (Rattus norvegicus), at the Veterinary Facility, University of Sarajevo. Thirty-two adult albino rats, were used and distributed into groups as follows: Group A (6 deceased rats with COD other than drowning, but due to mechanical asphyxia, which were then submerged for 1 h after death); Group B (6 deceased rats with COD other than drowning, but due to mechanical asphyxia, which were then submerged for 72 h after death); Group C (6 rats that were immediately autopsied after drowning, with COD determined as drowning); Group D (6 rats that underwent a 48-hour postmortem period after drowning); Group E (COD: drowning, post-mortem 72hrs after death, remained submerged in water until PM). Live algological material was collected for the research of the systematics of algae from the Bosna river, Sarajevo, and transported to the University of Sarajevo (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science). Periphyllon, epiphyllon and epipelon were used to collect phytobenthos. The material was fixed with 4% formalin solution. Laboratory processing of diatoms was performed using the methods described by Hustedt (16). In the process of obtaining pure diatom valves, part of the material is digested with potassium permanganate (KMnO4), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and oxalic acid (C2H2O4). In the next step, the cleaned diatom valves were mounted in Canadian balsam. A light microscope under 1000x magnification (Best Scope 2020) was used to evaluate and analyze the species. The identification of diatoms was performed using the reference of Cantonati et al (17). The nomenclature of diatom species was performed according to Guiry & Guiry's worldwide electronic internet database. RESULTS No diatoms were found in Groups A and B. However, Navicula sp. and Sellaphora sp. cf., were discovered during bone analysis of Group C where rats were immediately autopsied after drowning. Hantzschia amphioxus taxon was present in Group D, which underwent a 48-hour postmortem period after drowning and before samples were taken. In Groups C and D, where drowning was the COD, Diatoma vulgaris i Pinnularia major, Achnanthidium minutissimum i Melosira varians were present in the tooth samples. CONCLUSION Optimization of the "Diatom Test" method could potentially lead to its future use as a routine method within experimental settings. This experimental study is a starting point that guides forenscic medicine pracitioners towards the optimization of tests and sampling in cases of unexplained etiology, where preserved soft tissue structures is not available. In these cases, teeth and bones serve as accessible materials for diagnosing COD, alongside standardized nonspecific findings in the absence of organs for micro- and macroanalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emina Dervišević
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Muhamed Katica
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Veterinary Faculty University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Ermin Mašić
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nina Čamdžić
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Zurifa Ajanović
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Lejla Dervišević
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Adis Salihbegović
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nermin Sarajlić
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Tsuneya S, Nakajima M, Yoshida M, Hoshioka Y, Chiba F, Inokuchi G, Torimitsu S, Iwase H. Detection of diatoms in a case of mud aspiration at a coastal area. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 66:102354. [PMID: 37988879 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
The source of diatoms detected in non-drowned bodies have been attributed to postmortem invasion, contamination during autopsy or diatom testing, or "natural load." However, sand aspiration has not been reported as a source. Herein, we report an autopsy case in which diatoms were detected in a non-drowned human who had aspirated mud. A man in his 60 s was found dead at a harbor park in Japan. His whole body was covered with sand, including his face. A situational investigation suggested that he may have entered the sea. Autopsy revealed intratracheal mud, with no obvious findings indicating drowning, suggesting that he died from mud aspiration probably due to hypothermia or non-lethal ethanol intoxication. In the diatom test, 10-100 diatoms/g were detected in bilateral lung samples, which were similar to those found in the intraoral and intratracheal mud and the sand samples from around the discovery site and not similar to those found in the seawater samples. The diatoms in the stomach content exhibited an intermediate trend between those found in the sand and seawater. Therefore, careful qualitative and quantitative analyses are required to differentiate between true drowning and false-positives in non-drowning cases to determine the cause of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Tsuneya
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Makoto Nakajima
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Maiko Yoshida
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yumi Hoshioka
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Fumiko Chiba
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Go Inokuchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Poulain C, Mathieu O, Gouetta V, Baccino É, Peyron PA. Influence of the toxicological status on the diagnosis of fatal drowning. Int J Legal Med 2023; 137:1471-1479. [PMID: 37433906 PMCID: PMC10421782 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03057-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Drowning is the leading cause of death by accident of everyday life in people under 25 years of age. Xenobiotics are frequently involved in drowning cases but their influence on the diagnosis of fatal drowning has not been studied so far. This preliminary study aimed to assess the influence of an alcohol and/or a drug intoxication on the autopsy signs of drowning, and on the results of diatom analyses in drowning deaths. Twenty-eight autopsy cases of drowning including 19 freshwater drownings, 6 seawater drownings, and 3 brackish water drownings were prospectively included. Toxicological and diatom tests were performed in each case. The influence of alcohol and other xenobiotics on drowning signs and diatom analyses was assessed separately then in combination through a global toxicological participation score (GTPS). Diatom analyses showed positive results in lung tissue in every case. No significant association was found between the degree of intoxication and the diatom concentration in the organs, even after considering freshwater drowning cases only. The vast majority of the traditional autopsy signs of drowning were not significantly affected by the individual toxicological status either, with the exception of lung weight which tended to raise in case of intoxication, probably due to the pulmonary edema and congestion increase. Further research on larger autopsy samples is needed to confirm the results of this exploratory study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Poulain
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Olivier Mathieu
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Valérie Gouetta
- SNPS- Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Éric Baccino
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Montpellier Criminal Law and Forensic Sciences research team (EDPFM, UR-UM212), Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre-Antoine Peyron
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Du Y, Xiang Q, Niu Y, Liu L, Liu J, Su Q, Li Z, Shi H, Xu Q, Wang H, Zhao J, Liu C. Diatoms pass through the gastrointestinal barrier and lead to false-positive: an animal experiment. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2023:10.1007/s12024-023-00593-7. [PMID: 37378810 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-023-00593-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The diatom test has been used by forensic pathologist as standard for drowning, but the occurrence of false-positive results (presence of diatoms found in the tissues of subjects who died from causes other than drowning) draws criticism regarding the specificity of the test. Diatoms within food or water can be ingested through the gastrointestinal tract. However, the mechanisms of how the diatoms reach distant organs such as the lung, liver, and kidney have not been studied. In this article, we simulated the process of diatoms entering the gastrointestinal tract using gastric lavage on experimental rabbits. Diatoms are detected in lymph from a lymphatic vessel at the root of the mesentery, portal vein blood, aortic blood, lung, liver, and kidney samples in the gavage group. Of diatoms, 76.24% were the centric diatom, 99.86% of diatoms have a maximum size of less than 50 µm, and most of diatoms concentrate in the lung. Our study provided the evidence supporting the theory that the diatoms could pass through the gastrointestinal barrier and reach the rabbits' other internal organs. The diatoms could reach internal organs through the portal vein and lymphatic vessel at the root of the mesentery. This provides us new insight into our understanding of false-positive diatom test in forensic pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Du
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shaitai Road South 1023-1063, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qingqing Xiang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Chenggong District, Chunrong Road West 1168, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Yong Niu
- Section of Forensic Sciences, Criminal Investigation Department, Ministry of Public Security, Dongcheng District, Chang' an Avenue 14, Beijing, 100741, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University & Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Yuexiu District, Zhongshan 2Nd Road 74, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjian Liu
- Department of Anatomy, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Qin Su
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University & Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Yuexiu District, Zhongshan 2Nd Road 74, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhigang Li
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Baiyun District, Baiyun Avenue 1708, Guangzhou, 510442, People's Republic of China
| | - He Shi
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Baiyun District, Baiyun Avenue 1708, Guangzhou, 510442, People's Republic of China
| | - Quyi Xu
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Baiyun District, Baiyun Avenue 1708, Guangzhou, 510442, People's Republic of China
| | - Huijun Wang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shaitai Road South 1023-1063, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Jian Zhao
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University & Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Yuexiu District, Zhongshan 2Nd Road 74, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China.
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Baiyun District, Baiyun Avenue 1708, Guangzhou, 510442, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chao Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shaitai Road South 1023-1063, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University & Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Yuexiu District, Zhongshan 2Nd Road 74, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China.
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Baiyun District, Baiyun Avenue 1708, Guangzhou, 510442, People's Republic of China.
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Bhardwaj N, Ahluwalia AS, Pal SK, Mandotra SK. Potential of photoautotrophic microbial organisms in deciphering forensic issues. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 62:102223. [PMID: 36857944 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
In forensic pathology, solving the crime mystery of death due to drowning still remains a challenging issue. The amalgamation of autopsy findings and comparative study of diatoms recovered from the victim's body organs and suspected drowning site help to decipher the cause of death due to drowning or post-mortem immersion. Since the correct interpretation of the cause of death is an important criterion to provide justice to the victim, therefore, the main objective of our study is to throw light on the application of photoautotrophic micro-algal organisms, known as Diatoms, in solving seven cases of victims whose bodies were recovered from various water bodies of Himachal Pradesh, India. The diatom test was conducted by using reverse aqua regia solution (15 ml HNO3: 5 ml HCl) on the bone marrow extracted from the organs and water samples respectively. The informative outcomes of the experimental analysis demonstrated that the diatom test acts as a beneficial adjunct to solve drowning-related crimes where the exact cause of death remains hidden even after performing an autopsy of the victims. The protocol followed by the authors can be used conveniently to recover diatoms from bone marrow as well as from water samples. Our results showed that the maximum cases were of death due to accidental drowning but for one case of suicidal drowning in extremely cold water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitika Bhardwaj
- Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
| | - A S Ahluwalia
- Department of Botany, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India.
| | - S K Pal
- Department of Biology and Serology, Directorate of Forensics Services, Shimla Hills, Junga Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - S K Mandotra
- Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
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Tsuneya S, Yoshida M, Hoshioka Y, Chiba F, Inokuchi G, Torimitsu S, Iwase H. Relevance of diatom testing on closed organs of a drowned cadaver who died after receiving treatment for 10 days: A case report. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 60:102168. [PMID: 36308841 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A male in his late adolescence fell into the sea and was found 50 min later with cardiopulmonary arrest. He was revived approximately 260 min after he drowned. Although he received several treatments, including venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and continuous hemodiafiltration, he was clinically diagnosed with brain death. He died 10 days after the accident. The autopsy did not reveal any unremarkable findings other than those associated with post-resuscitation changes and medical treatment. The diatom test revealed 47.9, 311.6, and 577.5 diatom particles per gram from water, left lung, and right lung samples, respectively. No diatoms were detected in a 10 g liver sample, and 1 diatom was detected in each of approximately 12 g of bilateral kidney samples, which was different from the abundant species in the lung samples. The diatom test of the closed organs could be considered false negative for confirming drowning death since diatoms can also be detected in non-drowned cadavers on dry land. This suggests that diatoms might not reach the closed organs via circulation and that the diatom test of closed organ samples might no longer be necessary to confirm drowning deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Tsuneya
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Maiko Yoshida
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yumi Hoshioka
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Fumiko Chiba
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Go Inokuchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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9
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Khurshid A, Shah MU, Khurshid M, Sohail A, Ali G. Diatom-Positive Cadaver: Drowning or Homicide? Cureus 2021; 13:e18312. [PMID: 34725584 PMCID: PMC8553277 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Medico-legal investigations should be performed on all unnatural (homicide, suicide, or accident), unexpected, and suspicious deaths to evaluate the possibility of homicide and ascertain the exact cause of death. However, in some scenarios, burial takes place before an autopsy can be conducted. In such cases, exhumation is performed, which involves excavating the remains of previously buried or cremated individuals for medico-legal investigations. Although the diatom test is a very useful microbiological approach in concluding death by drowning, its reliability remains controversial. Our study presents the case of a cadaver that was exhumed so that medico-legal investigations could be performed to ascertain the exact cause of death. The cadaver was recovered from water but buried before an autopsy could be performed. Upon exhumation, the greater cornu of hyoid bone was fractured with dislocation of the maxilla and mandible. The femur, sternum and clavicle were sent for diatom testing. The diatoms came out positive in the bones; however, the water sample from the gutter didn’t test positive for diatoms. Thus, due to the diatom-negative status of water, diatoms from bones can’t be compared with suspected water samples. Since diatoms in bones can arise as a result of contamination too, death cannot be concluded by drowning. Manual strangulation led to the fracture of the hyoid bone. Asphyxia due to throttling was declared the cause of death. Due to the unreliability of the diatom test in certain cases, other tests should be performed in auxiliary to the diatom test to conclude death by drowning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mir U Shah
- Internal Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PAK
| | - Maman Khurshid
- Forensic Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PAK
| | - Aruba Sohail
- Internal Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PAK
| | - Gulzar Ali
- Forensic Medicine, Civil Hospital Karachi, Karachi, PAK
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10
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Ren L, Chen YQ, Zhou QL, Liu ZZ, Li Y, Liu Q. Relationships between Diatom Abundances in Rat Organs and in Environmental Waters. Curr Med Sci 2021; 41:981-986. [PMID: 34669115 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-021-2443-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A diagnosis of drowning remains one of the most challenging issues in forensic science, especially for decomposed bodies. Diatom analysis is considered as an encouraging method for diagnosing drowning. In this study, we developed a drowned rat model using different diatom densities in water. METHODS A total of 120 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used and divided into six groups, wherein experimental groups 1-5 were drowned rats (group A) and postmortem submersion rats (group B) that were submerged in water with five different Cyclotella sp. diatom densities, while the remaining group was used as a blank control. The combination of microwave digestion and vacuum filtration method was used to accomplish efficient tissue digestion and ascertain higher accuracy of diatom determinations within organs. RESULTS The abundances of diatoms in the lungs, livers, and kidneys were significantly different. The diatom abundances in the lungs, livers, and kidneys were directly proportional to the water diatom densities, and specific quantitative relationships could be approximated by separate regression equations for each organ type. However, the trends associated with the diatom increases among organs slightly differed. In addition, the diatom abundances in the lungs, livers, and kidneys were all positively correlated. Diatoms were not observed in the postmortem submersion groups nor in the blank control groups. CONCLUSION The results of this study provide valuable information for establishing a quantitative diatom framework for informing future forensic medicine efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Ren
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Forensic Science, Hubei University of Police, Wuhan, 430034, China
| | - Yi-Qun Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qian-Li Zhou
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zun-Zhong Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ying Li
- Guangdong Tongji Forensic Science Institute, Foshan, 516500, China
| | - Quan Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Forensic Science, Hubei University of Police, Wuhan, 430034, China.
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11
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Kihara Y, Makino Y, Nakajima M, Tsuneya S, Tanaka A, Yamaguchi R, Torimitsu S, Hayama SI, Iwase H. Experimental water injection into lungs using an animal model: Verification of the diatom concentration test to diagnose drowning. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 327:110983. [PMID: 34478896 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In forensic medicine, the diatom test is used to diagnose drowning. Drowning and postmortem immersion can be distinguished by calculating the ratio of diatom concentration in the lungs and drowning water (L/W ratio). However, this claim was based on the unproven hypothesis that diatoms may be concentrated in the lungs due to respiratory movements. This study was conducted to examine whether the L/W ratio increased with experimental water injection. METHODS A total of two experiments was performed using 22 non-drowned cat carcasses found on dry land. First, for the experimental postmortem immersion, we soaked seven whole-body cat carcasses in pond water for an hour. Second, the pond water was experimentally injected one or ten times into each harvested lung from seven and eight cats, respectively. In the diatom test, two diatom species (Aulacoseira ambigua and Discostella asterocostata) that were dominantly observed in pond water as well as other diatom species were counted separately. The L/W ratios of each cat were calculated. Univariate linear regression analysis was performed to demonstrate the association among L/W ratios and the three categories of the experiments. The L/W ratios of the two experiments were compared with those of drowning or postmortem immersion cases of humans or cats. RESULTS It was revealed that the clear L/W ratio differences between the three groups (experimental postmortem immersion<0.02, 1-injection < 0.2, 10-injection > 0.9 for all diatom counting) were with statistically significant as proven by the univariate regression analyses. In actual cases of cats and humans, L/W ratios were>0.4 for drowning and<0.04 for postmortem immersion. CONCLUSION The L/W ratio increased with multiple experimental water injections into the lungs, thereby verifying the validity of the diatom concentration test to diagnose drowning. The diatom test can be used to distinguish between drowning and postmortem immersion in humans and cats by calculating the L/W ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Kihara
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Laboratory of Wildlife Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.
| | - Yohsuke Makino
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Education and Research Center of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Makoto Nakajima
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Shigeki Tsuneya
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Education and Research Center of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Aki Tanaka
- Laboratory of Wildlife Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.
| | - Rutsuko Yamaguchi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Education and Research Center of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Education and Research Center of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Shin-Ichi Hayama
- Laboratory of Wildlife Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Education and Research Center of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
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12
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Marezza F, Marchetti C, Lanzi G, Lusetti A, Bertani A, Cecchi R. Diatom extraction: A new technique with heated H2O2. A technical note. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2021; 50:101861. [PMID: 33667932 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2021.101861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The best method of diatom identification in animal and human tissues is still an important discussion topic, in terms of effectiveness and reliability. In this technical note, authors propose a new method of extraction of diatoms using heated hydrogen peroxide from animal and human tissue samples. This method has been compared with the traditional method of digestion with acids. The results of the comparison show that heated hydrogen peroxide extraction is more efficient in terms of reduction of sediment, extraction of the material and preservation of diatoms proving to be a viable alternative to conventional approaches with acids in terms of costs and operator safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Marezza
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
| | | | - Giovanni Lanzi
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Lusetti
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Alessia Bertani
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Rossana Cecchi
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
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13
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Li H, Kang X, Zheng D, Zhang P, Xiao C, Yu Z, Shi H, Xu Q, Zhao J, Liu C, Wan L. Are diatom types or patterns in the organs and water samples of drowning cases always consistent? AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2020.1825803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaodong Kang
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Dongyun Zheng
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Pingping Zhang
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Xiao
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhonghao Yu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - He Shi
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Quyi Xu
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University & Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Chao Liu
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University & Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Lihua Wan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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14
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Jiang L, Xiao C, Zhao J, Jiang T, Lin J, Xu Q, Liu C, Cai W. Development of 18S rRNA gene arrays for forensic detection of diatoms. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 317:110482. [PMID: 33142211 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Diatom test is the most commonly used method to diagnose drowning in forensic laboratories. However, microscopic examination and identification of diatom frustules is time-consuming and requires taxonomic expertise. At present, the identification of drowning is still a challenge in forensic casework. In this study, we developed a novel diatom microarray based on the detection of specific 18S rRNA gene fragments of diatom species. The array covers 169 diatom species which were documented as commonly found in a wide range of fresh waters in China. Diatom arrays were prepared from species specific oligonucleotide probes targeting to variable regions of the 18S rRNA gene. We also developed an auxiliary sample preparation method for isolation of diatom DNA from tissues, which enabled detection of diatom species in real forensic samples as well as environmental waters. We applied the diatom arrays to analyze six drowned cases and eight environmental samples. The diatom arrays showed much better sensitivity and more consistent results than those of the conventional SEM methods. We discovered major discrepancies between results generated by the diatom arrays and the routinely used SEM based diatom tests. We verified the results of our diatom arrays by species specific PCR and Sanger sequencing and found that the currently used SEM diatom test method has a serious deficiency in sensitivity due to high loss rate of frustules in the sample preparation procedure. We anticipate that the application of diatom arrays will transform current forensic practice of diagnosing drowning deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Jiang
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Cheng Xiao
- School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 1037, China
| | - Jun Lin
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Quyi Xu
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Chao Liu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Weiwen Cai
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
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15
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Girela-López E, Beltran-Aroca CM, Jimena I, Pérez-Jorge P, Ramos-Medina V, Ruz-Caracuel I, Gill JR, Peña-Amaro J. Structural abnormalities in the human diaphragm in drowning and hanging deaths: preliminary results. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2020; 16:265-271. [PMID: 32172482 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-020-00235-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous experiments in rats have indicated that there are histological changes in skeletal muscle in drowning deaths; these changes include muscle fibers that contain ragged red fibers (RRF). The purpose of this study was to examine whether these changes also occur in humans. METHODS Histologic and histochemical examinations of three muscles (diaphragm, pectoralis, and psoas) were performed on 24 cadavers with three different causes of death: 8 drowning, 8 hanging, and 8 sudden cardiac disease. Muscle samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, MGT, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-tetrazolium reductase, succinate dehydrogenase, ATPase, and acid phosphatase via standard staining procedures. RESULTS There were statistically significant differences in the detection of RRFs in these cohorts. Additionally, several other cytoarchitectural changes (whorled and core-like fibers) were observed in the diaphragm in the drowning cohort and to a lesser extent in the hangings. These structural abnormalities were not observed in the sudden cardiac disease deaths, thus suggesting a common mechanism for the production of these muscular changes that is not shared in the cardiac death group. The mechanism is most likely intense hypoxia and mechanical trauma of the respiratory muscles in the setting of active blood circulation with intense muscle contraction. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirmed that there are histological changes in the diaphragm in drownings and, to a lesser extent, in hangings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloy Girela-López
- Sección de Medicina Legal y Forense, Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería, Universidad de Córdoba, Avda Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Cristina M Beltran-Aroca
- Sección de Medicina Legal y Forense, Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería, Universidad de Córdoba, Avda Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004, Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Ignacio Jimena
- Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas, Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería, Sección de Histología, Universidad de Córdoba, 14004, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pablo Pérez-Jorge
- Sección de Patología Forense, Instituto de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses de Córdoba, 14011, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Valentin Ramos-Medina
- Sección de Patología Forense, Instituto de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses de Málaga, 29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ruz-Caracuel
- Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas, Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería, Sección de Histología, Universidad de Córdoba, 14004, Córdoba, Spain
| | - James R Gill
- Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Jose Peña-Amaro
- Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas, Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería, Sección de Histología, Universidad de Córdoba, 14004, Córdoba, Spain
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16
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Piegari G, De Biase D, d'Aquino I, Prisco F, Fico R, Ilsami R, Pozzato N, Genovese A, Paciello O. Diagnosis of Drowning and the Value of the Diatom Test in Veterinary Forensic Pathology. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:404. [PMID: 31799284 PMCID: PMC6868027 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The detection of diatoms into the organs is considered an important “biological marker” for the diagnosis of drowning in human pathology, but it still has a high possibility for false positive results. The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate the contribution of pathological examination in drowning cases and (2) to investigate the differences in the number and location of diatoms between animals who died in drowning and non-drowning conditions. For these purposes, 30 dead adult dogs were selected for the study and subdivided into five groups. The group A comprised six cadavers dead for drowning; the group B comprised six control animals; the groups C, D, and E comprised six animals dead for causes other than drowning and subsequently immersed in water for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. On each animal, a complete macroscopic and histological examination and diatom test were performed. Diatoms test and quantification were also performed on drowning mediums. Pathological findings of the animals in the group A showed pulmonary congestion, oedema, and hemorrages in the lung. However, similar injuries were also observed in control and experimentally submerged cadavers. In contrast, we observed a statistically differences between drowning animals and all experimentally submerged groups and control animals regarding diatom numbers recovered from organ tissue samples (p < 0.05). Therefore, these findings suggest that the number of diatoms may be used as a valid tool to differentiate animals who died in drowning and non-drowning conditions, even if the latter were found in an aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Piegari
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide De Biase
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria d'Aquino
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Prisco
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Fico
- National Center for the Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, Grosseto, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ilsami
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Pozzato
- Verona Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattivo Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Angelo Genovese
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Orlando Paciello
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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17
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Zhao J, Zhang P, Xue Y, Kang X, Zhang S, Ma Y, Shi H, Cheng J, Liu Y, Liu C, Zhao H. Correlation analysis of diatom content in the organs and drowning mediums for the drowning death cases. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2019.1682667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhao
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University & Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pingping Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Ye Xue
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Kang
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shurui Zhang
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanbin Ma
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, China
| | - He Shi
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianding Cheng
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University & Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunze Liu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University & Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hu Zhao
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University & Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Fang T, Liao S, Chen X, Zhao Y, Zhu Q, Cao Y, Wang Q, Zhang S, Gao Z, Yang Y, Wang Y, Zhang J. Forensic drowning site inference employing mixed pyrosequencing profile of DNA barcode gene (rbcL). Int J Legal Med 2019; 133:1351-1360. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02075-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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19
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Analysis of false-positive results of diatom test in the diagnosis of drowning—would not be an impediment. Int J Legal Med 2019; 133:1819-1824. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02021-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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20
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Thakar MK, Luthra D, Khattar JS. Forensic studies of phytoplankton ecology of two water bodies of Kurukshetra area of Haryana, State in India. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.1186/s41935-018-0068-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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21
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Fucci N, Campobasso CP, Mastrogiuseppe L, Puccinelli C, Marcheggiani S, Mancini L, Marino L, Pascali VL. Diatoms in drowning cases in forensic veterinary context: a preliminary study. Int J Legal Med 2017; 131:1573-1580. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1565-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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22
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Bierens JJLM, Lunetta P, Tipton M, Warner DS. Physiology Of Drowning: A Review. Physiology (Bethesda) 2017; 31:147-66. [PMID: 26889019 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00002.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Drowning physiology relates to two different events: immersion (upper airway above water) and submersion (upper airway under water). Immersion involves integrated cardiorespiratory responses to skin and deep body temperature, including cold shock, physical incapacitation, and hypovolemia, as precursors of collapse and submersion. The physiology of submersion includes fear of drowning, diving response, autonomic conflict, upper airway reflexes, water aspiration and swallowing, emesis, and electrolyte disorders. Submersion outcome is determined by cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological injury. Knowledge of drowning physiology is scarce. Better understanding may identify methods to improve survival, particularly related to hot-water immersion, cold shock, cold-induced physical incapacitation, and fear of drowning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philippe Lunetta
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Mike Tipton
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Extreme Environments Laboratory, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom; and
| | - David S Warner
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Neurobiology and Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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23
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Lee SY, Woo SK, Lee SM, Ha EJ, Lim KH, Choi KH, Roh YH, Eom YB. Microbiota Composition and Pulmonary Surfactant Protein Expression as Markers of Death by Drowning. J Forensic Sci 2017; 62:1080-1088. [PMID: 28097647 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pathological diagnosis of drowning remains a challenge for forensic science, because of a lack of pathognomonic findings. We analyzed microbiota and surfactant protein in the lungs for a novel diagnosis of drowning. All rats were divided into drowning, postmortem submersion, and control groups. The water, lungs, closed organs (kidney and liver), and cardiac blood in rats were assayed by targeting 16S ribosomal RNA of Miseq sequencing. Lung samples were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for surfactant protein A. The closed organs and cardiac blood of drowned group have a lot of aquatic microbes, which have not been detected in postmortem submersion group. Furthermore, intra-alveolar granular staining of surfactant protein A (SP-A) was severely observed in the drowned group than the postmortem submersion and control groups. The findings suggested that the presence of aquatic microbiota in the closed organs and increased expression of SP-A could be markers for a diagnosis of drowning.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Yeon Lee
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, 31538, Korea
| | - Seung-Kyun Woo
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, 31538, Korea
| | - So-Min Lee
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, 31538, Korea
| | - Eun-Ju Ha
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, 31538, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Hee Lim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, 31538, Korea
| | - Kyung-Hwa Choi
- National Research Safety Headquarters, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28116, Korea
| | - Young-Hee Roh
- National Research Safety Headquarters, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28116, Korea
| | - Yong-Bin Eom
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, 31538, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, 31538, Korea
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24
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Abstract
Determining the cause of death in animals recovered from bodies of water, swimming pools, or other water-containing vessels is challenging. Animals recovered from water may or may not have drowned. The diagnosis of drowning is usually one of exclusion, requiring information from the crime scene, recovery scene, the medical history or reliable witness accounts. While there are characteristic macroscopic and microscopic lesions of drowning, none are specific and are dependent on the volume and tonicity of the drowning medium. Beyond interpreting the postmortem findings, the court may ask pathologists to comment on the behavioral and welfare implications of drowning. This requires an understanding of the drowning process, which is a complex series of sequential, concurrent, and overlapping cardiorespiratory reflexes, electrolyte and blood gas abnormalities, aspiration, physical exhaustion, and breathlessness eventually culminating in death. This review addresses the mechanisms, lesions, and diagnostic issues associated with drowning in nonaquatic companion animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. J. McEwen
- Animal Health Laboratory, Laboratory Services Division, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - J. Gerdin
- Antech Diagnostics, Hunt Valley, MD, USA
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25
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Badu IK, Girela E, Beltrán CM, Ruz-Caracuel I, Jimena I. Diatoms in forensic analysis: A practical approach in rats. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2015; 55:228-235. [PMID: 24966336 DOI: 10.1177/0025802414538791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A diagnosis of drowning is a challenge in legal medicine, as there is generally a lack of pathognomonic findings indicative of drowning. Diatom analysis has been considered very supportive for a diagnosis of drowning, although the test is still controversial for some investigators. We assessed diatoms association with drowning in the peripheral tissues of drowned rats and the effects of the drowning medium on the diatom yield. A modified acid digestion method was optimised for diatom recovery in water and rat tissues. Eighteen adult Wistar rats were employed for the study, subdivided into six groups of three rats. Groups 1, 3 and 5 were drowned in seawater, lake water, or river water respectively, while groups 2, 4 and 6 were controls (immersed after death in seawater, lake water or river water respectively). Water samples were taken from the sea, lake and river in Málaga and Córdoba (Spain) for the purposes of diatomological mapping and drowning of the rats. Diatoms were successfully recovered from all water samples and matched with tissues of the drowned rats. There were significant differences in diatom numbers between control and test samples for all the tissues studied, as well as within test samples. Histological investigations conducted on lung samples obtained from drowned rats provided complementary and valuable information. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the diatom test as a reliable method for the diagnosis of drowning, especially if adequate precautions are taken to avoid contamination, and if interpretation of the analysis is performed in light of other complementary investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ignacio Ruz-Caracuel
- Department Morphological Sciences (Section of Histology); Faculty of Medicine, University of Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio Jimena
- Department Morphological Sciences (Section of Histology); Faculty of Medicine, University of Córdoba, Spain
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26
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Lin CY, Yen WC, Hsieh HM, Tsai LC, Huang TY, Huang CC, Yu YJ, Shun CT, Wu JT, Chou CL, Linacre A, Lee JCI. Diatomological investigation in sphenoid sinus fluid and lung tissue from cases of suspected drowning. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 244:111-5. [PMID: 25233019 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We report on the presence, distribution and numbers of diatoms within specific organs as a result of drowning in fresh, treated and seawater. Specimens of sphenoid sinus fluid and lung tissue from 100 cases of suspected drowning and 20 cases where death was by natural causes, to act as a control, were examined for the presence of diatoms. In the 100 cases where the deceased was suspected to have drowned, 94 were confirmed as a death by drowning after autopsy with the other six being reported as death by another cause. No diatoms were found in cases confirmed as death by causes unrelated to drowning, with the exception of possible contamination via open wounds and through decomposition. In 94 cases, where all fatalities were confirmed as death by drowning, there were 81 cases in which diatoms were detected in samples taken from the sphenoid sinus fluid and/or lung tissue. No, or only few, diatoms were observed from the samples where the deceased drowned in treated waters such as spa or swimming pools. A significantly higher number of diatoms were detected in the sphenoid sinus fluid and lung tissue of confirmed drowning cases in fresh water compared to seawater. More diatoms were observed in sphenoid sinus fluid compared to lung tissue regardless of the water in which the deceased drowned. This study illustrates the potential use of diatom screening using both sphenoid sinus fluid and lung tissue to determine the cause of death in suspected cases of drowning. This report also highlights specific variables that need to be considered prior to such as conclusion being reached.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yen Lin
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice, No. 123 Min'an Street, Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei City 235, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chien Yen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Jen-Ai Road Section 1, Taipei 10051, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsing-Mei Hsieh
- Department of Forensic Science, Central Police University, 56 Shu-Jen Road, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33304, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Li-Chin Tsai
- Department of Forensic Science, Central Police University, 56 Shu-Jen Road, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33304, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsun-Ying Huang
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice, No. 123 Min'an Street, Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei City 235, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chao-Ching Huang
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice, No. 123 Min'an Street, Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei City 235, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Jen Yu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Jen-Ai Road Section 1, Taipei 10051, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Tung Shun
- Department of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Jen-Ai Road Section 1, Taipei 10051, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jiunn-Tzong Wu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, ROC
| | | | - Adrian Linacre
- School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide 5001, Australia
| | - James Chun-I Lee
- Department of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Jen-Ai Road Section 1, Taipei 10051, Taiwan, ROC.
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27
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Lunetta P, Miettinen A, Spilling K, Sajantila A. False-positive diatom test: a real challenge? A post-mortem study using standardized protocols. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2013; 15:229-34. [PMID: 23701706 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2013.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2010] [Revised: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The main criticism of the validity of the diatom test for the diagnosis of drowning is based on the potential ante- and post-mortem penetration of diatoms and the finding of diatoms in bodies of non-drowned human beings. However, qualitative and quantitative studies on diatoms in organs of the non-drowned have yielded both conflicting and contradictory results. In the present study, we have analysed under standardised methods the diatom content in several organs of 14 non-drowned human bodies. Overall, only 9 diatoms (6 entire, 3 fragmented) were disclosed in 6 of the 14 non-drowned bodies. Each of these 6 cadavers had only a single "positive" organ. Six diatoms were found in the bone marrow, 2 in the lung, and one in the pleural liquid. No diatoms were recovered from the brain, liver, kidney, or blood samples of any of these 14 bodies. Moreover, in five additional cadavers, whose lungs were injected, prior autopsy, with a 3.5L solution containing a bi-cellulate diatom culture (Thalassiosira baltica, Thalassiosira levanderi) via tracheostomy, a few diatoms appeared in the pleural cavity and in the blood from the left heart chamber, but none in any other internal organs investigated. The results of the presented study demonstrate that the issue of the false-positive diatom test should not be a logical impediment to the performance of the diatom method. However, strict and standardized protocols aimed at avoiding contamination during sample preparation must be used, appropriate separation values set and taxonomic analysis of all diatoms performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Lunetta
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hjelt Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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28
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Selective culturing and genus-specific PCR detection for identification of Aeromonas in tissue samples to assist the medico-legal diagnosis of death by drowning. Forensic Sci Int 2012; 221:11-5. [PMID: 22497704 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2011] [Revised: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The detection of autochthonous aquatic bacteria in tissue samples from drowning cases is increasingly considered as an alternative approach to assist the medico-legal diagnosis of death by drowning. Bacteria belonging to the genus Aeromonas may be suitable candidates for this application as they are ubiquitous in natural aquatic environments but are generally not part of the human microbiota. The research aims of this study were (i) to develop a sensitive, specific and rapid screening and confirmation method for Aeromonas species in tissue samples and (ii) to evaluate aseptic sternal puncture as a post-mortem sample technique and bone marrow as an alternative matrix to provide evidence of death by drowning. The presence of Aeromonas in tissue samples was verified by cultivation using the selective media Ampicillin Dextrin Agar (ADA) and Ryan's Aeromonas Medium. The use of ADA medium was found most optimal for the sensitive, inexpensive and quick detection of aeromonads in human tissue samples. Positive culture plates were confirmed by harvesting all colonies for DNA extraction and subsequent PCR amplification using Aeromonas genus-specific primers. Aeromonads were detected in lung swab, blood and bone marrow of drowned bodies (n=3), but were negative in these three matrices for all negative controls (n=90) tested. Bone marrow proved to be a suitable alternative matrix and can be sampled post-mortem by an aseptic sternal puncture. In conclusion, this study confirms previous indications that aeromonads in cultures from blood of water bodies can be considered a potential marker for drowning. Given the fact that the number of immersed bodies (drowned and non-drowned) included in this study is statistically not significant, however, more tissue samples need to be investigated to confirm the validity of these methods to aid the diagnosis of death by wet drowning.
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29
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DiGiancamillo A, Domeneghini C, Gibelli D, Cattaneo C. Diatom extraction with HCl from animal tissues: A technical note. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2011; 13:268-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2011.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Revised: 05/18/2011] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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30
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Applications for Drowning Identification by Planktonic Diatom Test on Rats in Forensic Medicine. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2011.11.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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31
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Bortolotti F, Del Balzo G, Calza R, Valerio F, Tagliaro F. Testing the specificity of the diatom test: search for false-positives. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2011; 51 Suppl 1:S7-S10. [PMID: 22021634 DOI: 10.1258/msl.2010.010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The diatom test is widely used by forensic pathologists as proof of drowning, notwithstanding some criticisms mainly concerning the occurrence of false-positive results (presence of diatoms in the tissues of subjects who died from causes other than drowning). The aim of the present study was to verify the claimed inaccuracy of the method caused by an excessive rate of false-positives related to inadvertent exposure to diatoms of the general population. The study was carried out to investigate the presence of diatoms in the tissues (lungs and sternum) of subjects who died from causes other than drowning. Two groups of cadavers that underwent an autopsy at the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the University of Verona were included in the study. Group A comprised 45 individuals who died from causes other than drowning, whereas Group B comprised 20 bodies which had been recovered from water. The extraction of the diatoms was performed by incubation of samples in nitric acid for 48 hours at 60°C. The analysis of the samples from Group A showed the absence of diatoms in both lung and sternum samples. In Group B all lung samples showed the presence of diatoms, whereas only six sternum samples were shown to contain diatoms. The difference between Groups A and B was statistically highly significant. The absence of diatoms in the samples collected from Group A falsified the hypothesis that false-positive results from the diatom test may occur due to diatoms entering living bodies through the respiratory and/or digestive tracts via air, water or food, supporting the validity of the diatom test as proof of drowning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Bortolotti
- Department of Medicine and Public Health, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, Italy.
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32
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Immersion of piglet carcasses in water – The applicability of microscopic analysis and limits of diatom testing on an animal model. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2010; 12:13-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2009] [Revised: 09/16/2009] [Accepted: 09/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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