Diatoms in drowning cases in forensic veterinary context: a preliminary study.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Environmental Science
• Veterinary Pathology

Background:

• Diatom analysis is a established method for determining drowning in human forensics.
• Its application in wildlife forensic veterinary investigations remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a standard diatom extraction method in wildlife animal organs.
• To assess the diatom test's utility in diagnosing drowning in forensic veterinary cases.

Main Methods:

• A forensic diatom extraction protocol using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) digestion was applied to organs (lung, liver, kidney) from ten wildlife animals.
• Samples from animals found in aquatic environments and those deceased from other causes were analyzed.
• Diatom identification followed Italian guidelines for inland water ecological status assessment.

Main Results:

• Diatoms were successfully identified in drowned animals, supporting drowning as the cause of death.
• The method identified 21 genera of diatoms.
• In otters that died from non-drowning causes, diatom presence was linked to diet, not drowning, limiting diagnostic value.

Conclusions:

• The diatom test is a promising tool for diagnosing drowning in forensic veterinary contexts.
• Species-specific dietary habits, like in otters, can affect the reliability of the diatom test.
• Further research is warranted to refine the application of diatom analysis in diverse wildlife forensic cases.