[Analysis for diatoms in the diagnosis of drowning]

The amount of diatoms in water samples collected in specific places of Lazio during the months of May and October is compared with the results of a study performed 17 years ago. It is pointed out that in the studies waters the diatom content is less to day than previously. This phenomenon related to the pollution explains the rare presence of diatoms, reported during the last years, in organs of drowned people.