A Study Investigating The Presence Of Diatoms On Tooth Samples Using The Acid Digestion Method For The Estimation Of Time Since Death In Drowning Cases

Teeth are a further source of diatoms in establishing the cause of death and time since death by analysis of the stage qualitative and quantitative evaluation of diatoms diversity. Trials also confirmed that diatoms have also been a useful tool in differentiating antemortem and postmortem drowning (Jian Zhao April 2014). Diatoms are a type of algae that belong to the phylum Bacillariophyta. They are unicellular organisms with a unique feature – their cell walls are made of silica, which gives them a glass-like appearance. Diatoms are a diverse group of microorganisms found in various aquatic environments, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and even damp soil. This study mainly focuses on a tooth immersed in a water sample from a known water body for a day and the 7th day to observe the variation and the stages of the life cycle. The method of extraction used is the acid digestion method using concentrated Sulphuric Acid. We could find the centric and pennate types of diatoms. Diatoms are also important as they indicate natural water quality (European Committee of Standardization 2004). According to the results, we cannot deny that teeth are a source for the extraction of diatoms and also an indicator of time since death when other methods fail.