Abstract

context: In forensic analysis diatoms plays an important role. Their structure and morphology is widely used to identify the location. Since their species are varied in different geographical locations. Therefore, can be used for diagnosing the suspected drowning and dumping cases. aims: The study portrays the identification of different species of diatoms found in different geographical locations of Punjab. settings and design: Experimental study design was adopted to isolate and identify the different species of diatoms collected from different district of Punjab. materials & method: A total of 36 water samples from 18 different district in Punjab were collected. Each sample was of 500-1000 ml in quantity subjected to proper legend labeling of venue, time and date was procured followed by isolation using Acid digestion method for identification. results: Different species of diatoms such as Cylindrotheca Closterium, Triceratium, Hasleastenopterobia, Tabulariavariostriata, Tabellaria, Vulgariabory, Semiorbis, Fragalariforma, Distrionella, Diprorahaenaensis, Hantzschiaamphioxyz, Pinnularia, Peronia fibula, Plagiotropis, Pseudostaurosira, Cyclotella, Melosiraundulata, Aulacoseira, Stenopterobia, Stauroneisaugustilanacea, Craspedastauros, Achnanthes lanceolata were isolated with the help of acid digestion method and were identified by keeping diatoms of North America as a reference standard. conclusions: Diatom species have been identified as indicators of drowning and dumping locations for the sake of criminal inquiry. Morphological analysis aids in the detection of the location where a body is discovered. Hence, sitespecific diatoms from the Punjab region can help identify geographical locations. key message: In forensic science, diatom analysis is a useful tool for diagnosing suspected death by drowning cases. Diatoms at every few kilometers within a single water body changes thus making it easier as a shred of evidence in the identification of the exact location where the body drowned

• 1.   Taylor JC, Harding WR, Archibald CGM. A methods manual for the collection, preparation and analysis of diatom samples. Version 1.0. Pretoria: Water Research Commission; 2007. (Report No. TT 281/07).
• 2.   Rana A, Manhas S. Significance of diatoms in drowning deaths: a review. Peer Rev J Forensic Genet Sci. 2018;2(3):000146.
• 3.   McAmis A. Diversity and abundance changes of diatoms due to seasonal temperature and salinity variations in Galveston Bay [master's thesis]. College Station (TX): Texas A&M University; 2017.
• 4.   Puccinelli C, Marcheggiani S, Mancini L. A patented rapid method for identification of Italian diatom species. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3933.
• 5.   Spaulding SA, Edlund MB. Diatoms of North America: Genera [Internet]. [place unknown]: Diatoms of North America; [cited 2023]. Available from: https://diatoms.org/genera
• 6.   Rana D, Bhandari D. Isolation and characterisation of diatoms from waterbodies of Mumbai. Int J Curr Res Rev. 2016;8(17):13-7.
• 7.   Halder N. First report on three new diatom species from the Hooghly district, West Bengal. Trop Plant Res. 2016;3(3):501-7.
• 8.   Kachemak Bay Research Reserve. Marine Phytoplankton of Kachemak Bay: Student Guide [Internet]. Homer (AK): Kachemak Bay Research Reserve; [cited 2023]. Available from: https://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/wp-content/uploads/marinephytoplanktonkachemakbay_studentguide.pdf
• 9.   Diatoms of North America. What are Diatoms? [Internet]. [cited 2023]. Available from: https://diatoms.org/what-are-diatoms
• 10.   Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research. Diatom Database [Internet]. Miami (FL): Florida International University; [cited 2023]. Available from: https://fce-lter.fiu.edu/data/database/diatom/?species=3447
• 11.   Diatom algae and their properties [Internet]. [cited 2023]. Available from: https://ik-ptz.ru/en/testy-ege---2014-porusskomu-yazyku/diatomovye-vodorosliiih-svoistva-diatomovye-vodorosli.html
• 12.   Solving drowning cases to become easier with Punjabi varsity’s findings. Times of India [Internet]. 2017 Nov 17 [cited 2023]. Available from: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/solving-drowning-casestobecome-easier-with-punjabi-varsitysfindings/articleshow/61649853.cms
• 13.   Diatom. In: Encyclopædia Britannica [Internet]. [cited 2023]. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/science/diatom
• 14.   Diatom. In: ScienceDirect Topics [Internet]. Elsevier; [cited 2023]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/diatom
• 15.   Vellingiri R, Murugan P. Addition of Gymnosporia rothiana (Walp.) M.A. Lawson (Celastraceae), in the flora of southern Western Ghats, India. Trop Plant Res. 2019;6(3):524-7.
• 16.   Bogusz I, Bogusz M, Żelazna-Wieczorek J. Use of diatoms in forensics. Issues Forensic Sci. 2018;301(3):60-7.
• 17.   Verma K. Role of diatoms in the world of forensic science. J Forensic Res. 2013;4:2.
• 18.   Scott KR, Morgan RM, Jones VJ, Cameron NG. The value of diatoms in forensic science: a review. Archaeol Environ Forensic Sci. 2017;1(1):49-78.
• 19.   Singh M, Jain AK, Mishra MK, Mishra V. Comparative study of diatom flora of Ganga River at Varanasi and Allahabad for forensic consideration. IOSR J Pharm Biol Sci. 2016;11(4):54-8.
• 20.   Kumar M, Singh GP. Study of diatom flora of different water bodies of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Indian J Appl Pure Biol. 2017;32(2):227-38.
• 21.   Walia M, Bhati K, Tiwari A. A review on diatom mapping in India: forensic identification of diatom based on morphology. Think India J. 2019;22(16):1598-605.
• 22.   Thakar MK, Luthra D, Khattar JS. Diatomological mapping of water bodies for the diagnosis of drowning cases in Punjab, India. Egypt J Forensic Sci. 2018;8:38.
• 23.   Thakar MK, Singh R. Diatomological mapping of water bodies for the diagnosis of drowning cases. J Forensic Leg Med. 2010;17(1):18-25.
• 24.   Cameron NG. The use of diatoms in forensic science. In: Pye K, Croft DJ, editors. Forensic Geoscience: Principles, Techniques and Applications. London: Geological Society; 2004. p. 277-80. (Special Publications; vol. 232).
• 25.   Sharma N, Mishra MK, Tripathi S, Mishra V. Identification of diatom from the suspected cloth sample and their comparative study with the concord water body: Case Study. Int J Soc Relev Concern. 2015;3(10):53-7.
• 26.   Shrilakshmi P, Gauthami S, Pandu G. Diatoms-Significant evidences in drowning cases. Int J Sci Appl Res. 2017;4(4):15-20.
• 27.   Pal SK, Sharma A, Sehgal A, Rana A. Diagnosing death with diatoms: a retrospective study of forensic cases in Himachal Pradesh, India. Int J Toxicol Forensic Med. 2017;7(2):124-37.
• 28.   Saini P, Kushwaha KPS. Diatomological mapping of water bodies of Haryana: An aid to forensic investigation of drowning. Anil Aggrawal Internet J Forensic Med Toxicol. 2016;17(1).
• 29.   Kaur A, Jasuja OP, Singh R. Diatomological mapping of Renuka lake in Himachal Pradesh: Significant in forensic investigation of drowning deaths. Anil Aggrawal Internet J Forensic Med Toxicol. 2018;19(2).
• 30.   Singh R, Kumar S, Thakar MK. Forensic analysis of diatoms-A review. Anil Aggrawal Internet J Forensic Med Toxicol. 2006;7(2).
• 31.   Vinayak V, Goyal MK, Mishra V. New genus and species of diatom endemic in Lake Rani of Haryana (India). Open J Mod Hydrol. 2012;2(4):105-11.
• 32.   Mishra V, Mishra MK, Gupta AK. Identification of diatoms on the basis of anatomical pattern of valve & girdle view & its forensic significance. Int J All Res Educ Sci Methods. 2017;5(12):2455-6211.
• 33.   Gupta V, Rohatgi S, Kaushik N. Examination of fresh water diatoms of southern range of Himachal Pradesh- a forensic approach. IAETSD J Adv Res Appl Sci. 2018;5(4):203-7.
• 34.   Zou Y, Wang L, Zhang L, Liu Y, Peng Z. [Title of article]. Diatom Res. 2018;33.