Diatoms in Dead Bodies Can Be Vital to Police Investigations as They Provide Clues About the Cause of Death

(Photo : Unsplash / Tim Marshall)

The study of forensic evidence has long relied on certain biological makeups to come to conclusions regarding the cause of death. As such, a recent study provides evidence that diatoms can be used as an additional marker to look for clues regarding a death scene.

Exploring Diatoms for Forensics

According to IFL Science, diatoms could be used in further forensic studies as another metric to find the origin of one's death. As such, this method was actually previously shown in the series Dexter, where diatoms helped locate a boat.

Aside from appearing in the series, diatoms could have practical, real-life use cases, which a recent case explores. The method was explored on BBC's "Body On The Beach: What Happened To Annie?" series.

The series explored the possibility of diatoms providing clues that could contradict other forms of basic forensic evidence. Dr. Kirstie Scott, a forensic biologist specializing in diatoms, explained their possible relevance to forensics.

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Diatoms Forensic Relevance

As Dr. Scott explained, the definition of diatoms is that they are eukaryotic microscopic algae, and often when in water, communities of microscopic algae are expected to be dominant. As such, they can be used to diagnose different instances of death.

Dr. Scott explains that the algae can also be used to reveal certain events that take place during the crime. The practical use of diatoms as forensic evidence can be seen in the case of 30-year-old Annie Börjesson from Sweden.

IFL Science reports that Börjesson was found on Prestwick Beach, away from Edinburgh, where she lived. The series explained that diatoms in her bone marrow revealed new forensic facts.

Hazel Martin, a BBC journalist, and lead of the series, explained that the series brought new critical details regarding the case. So far, there were 11 points documented that they think have forensic value.

Martin explains that some of the submitted information was considered new. These include potential signs of bruising on Annie's body.

Forensic Science Approach to Diatoms

A Springer report in the Plant Life and Environment Dynamics book series explained how diatoms were considered "golden standards" in drowning-related crimes. As such, their small and diverse nature allows them to easily enter the bodies of drowning victims.

Upon autopsy, finding diatoms in a victim's brain, liver, or kidneys can point to drowning. However, postmortem immersion would result in negligible diatom numbers in a victim's body.

The benefits of using diatoms in forensic cases include their accuracy and low chances of contamination. This allows forensic authorities to examine bodies without much changes to the corpse.

The National Library of Medicine reports diatom testing as an "important supporting technique" in drowning incidents. This was despite its description of diatom testing, being a long process and taking a lot of energy.