Abstract

Forensic diatomology is a specialized branch of forensic science has ascertain the drowning cases for medico legal purpose. If any body of the deceased found in the water bodies i.e. river, Lake, Pond etc then the law enforcement agency police has to find out whether the person died due to drowning in water or someone killed him and threw him in the river. Diatom test is conducted in forensic science laboratory to find out. Diatoms are microscopic algae with silica based cell walls called frustule abundant in freshwater and marine environments; serve as crucial indicators for distinguishing between different water bodies. This omprehensive review explores the current state of forensic diatomology research, emphasizing its practical application in analysing water samples from diverse sources, including rivers, lakes, ponds, and coastal regions. The methodologies discussed range from light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to molecular techniques. The paper also delves into the significance of diatom taxonomy, ecology, and distribution in forensic investigations, addressing challenges and outlining future directions in the field. In drowning cases, diatoms provide valuable insights into antemortem and post-mortem evidence, aiding in the determination of geographical locations. As unicellular aquatic organisms representing a significant taxonomic division of phytoplankton, diatoms exhibit diversity influenced by geographical and environmental conditions, as well as the physicochemical properties of their habitat. The study further explores diatom diversity in various water bodies across

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