[Methods of diatom extraction: current status and future directions]

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Toxicology
• Pathology

Background:

• Forensic diagnosis of drowning as a cause of death presents significant challenges in certain cases.
• The diatom test is widely recognized as the "gold standard" for confirming drowning.
• Advancements in forensic diatomology are crucial for accurate death investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically analyze scientific developments in forensic diatomology.
• To investigate current diatom extraction methods concerning their effectiveness and safety.
• To provide insights for advancing forensic diatomology research and practice.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies published between 2000 and 2024.
• Searches conducted in PubMed and Springer Link international databases.
• Analysis focused on English and Russian language publications related to forensic diatomology and diatom extraction techniques.

Main Results:

• Identified key scientific developments in forensic diatomology over the past two decades.
• Evaluated the effectiveness and safety profiles of various diatom extraction methods.
• Highlighted the continued importance of the diatom test in drowning diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Forensic diatomology is essential for accurate drowning death diagnosis.
• Current diatom extraction methods vary in effectiveness and safety, requiring careful selection for expert practice.
• The findings support the development and implementation of improved methods in forensic expert practice.