MD-VF-Auto SEM: A method of the forensic diatom test that may help end the longstanding "war-on-diatoms"

The diatom test has been a classical test for drowning diagnosis for over a century. While it is often regarded in literature as a reliable method-even a golden standard-its validity remains a subject of ongoing controversy. This paper emphasized that the major cause for the controversy is from the methodology of the test. Conventional methods for the test lack sufficient sensitivity and accuracy, making diatom analysis results difficult to be interpreted in both drowning and non-drowning cases. In contrast, the MD-VF-Auto SEM method-which integrates microwave digestion (MD), vacuum filtration (VF), and automated scanning electron microscopy (Auto SEM)-offers significantly improved sensitivity and accuracy. This enhanced method is capable of clarifying the relationship between diatom presence and drowning, thereby addressing key questions regarding the test's validity. The rationale as well as related research findings are presented. In the end, we call for international collaborative effort to collectively resolve the long-standing "war-on-diatoms".