Forensic Determination of Wet Drowning in a River Utilizing Pennales Diatom Analysis: A Forensic Autopsy Report
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 16 (2026),
29 December 2025
,
Page 1-6
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijmtfm.v16.51138
Abstract
Background: Drowning remains a significant cause of unintentional mortality, requiring comprehensive forensic investigation to determine the mechanism and circumstances of death.
Case Presentation: This case report is about a 30-year-old person whose name is not known and who was found in a freshwater river. After that, they were examined on the outside, inside and in other ways. The external findings included fine, frothy fluid coming from the airways, livor mortis that made the skin look pale, rigor mortis of the upper extremities, signs of hypoxia, and maceration of the hands. An internal examination found the Nile sign, no structural problems with the major organs, and stomach contents that were consistent with recent eating. Ancillary tests showed a positive diatom test with Pennales diatoms found in over 10 fields, which supports the idea of freshwater drowning.
Conclusion: However, the lung fluid study had a chance of false positives because the body had been preserved for a long time. This case underscores the persistent necessity for comprehensive forensic evaluation encompassing diatom analysis, organ examination and contextual interpretation to ascertain drowning as the cause of death.
- Drowning deaths, Autopsy Findings, Forensic Pathology
How to Cite
References
[1] Armstrong EJ, Erskine KL. Investigation of Drowning Deaths: A Practical Review. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2018;8(1):8-43. [DOI: 10.23907/2018.011]
[2] Perwira S, Affrita TM, Tambunan E, Yudianto A. Autopsy findings on decomposing drowned body: Identification of specific diagnostic features of external, internal, and laboratory examinations. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2021;9(C):218-21. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2021.5956]
[3] Tambuzzi S, Maciocco F, Gentile G, Boracchi M, Bailo P, Marchesi M, et al. Applications of microbiology to different forensic scenarios – A narrative review. J Forensic Leg Med. 2023;98:102560. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2023.102560]
[4] McEwen BJ, Gerdin J. Veterinary Forensic Pathology: Drowning and Bodies Recovered From Water. Vet Pathol. 2016;53(5):1049-56. [DOI: 10.1177/0300985816656806]
[5] Chaudhary R, Dhingra V. Forensic significance in the cases of drowning deaths: An elaborative study. IP Int J Forensic Med Toxicol Sci. 2022;6(4):122-6. [DOI: 10.18231/j.ijfmts.2021.028]
[6] Juare GS, Humane SS. A review on significance of diatoms in lake monitoring. Ecol Res. 2021;3(8):86-8. [DOI: 10.33552/ER.2021.03.000568]
[7] N K, S PK, A S, G T. Role of Diatoms in Diagnosis of Death Due to Drowning: Case Studies. Int J Med Toxicol Forensic Med. 2017;7(1):59-65. [DOI: 10.22037/ijmtfm.v7i1.16673]
[8] Piegari G, De Biase D, d’Aquino I, Prisco F, Fico R, Ilsami R, et al. Diagnosis of Drowning and the Value of the Diatom Test in Veterinary Forensic Pathology. Front Vet Sci. 2019;6:475. [DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00475]
[9] Tyr A, Heldring N, Winskog C, Zilg B. Diagnosing fatal drownings: A review of the postmortem findings. Forensic Sci Int. 2024;364:112251. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112251]
[10] Aflanie I, Suharto GMF, Nurikhwan PW. Postmortem characteristics of drowning death in freshwater: a systematic review. Russ J Forensic Med. 2024;10(2):220-8. [DOI: 10.17816/fm16113]
[11] Weinstein MD, Krieger BP. Near-drowning: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and initial treatment. J Emerg Med. 1996;14(4):461-7. [DOI: 10.1016/0736-4679(96)00146-4]
[12] Ojanperä I, Kriikku P. Role of postmortem toxicology in drowning investigations. WIREs Forensic Sci. 2024;6(2):e1455. [DOI: 10.1002/wfs2.1455]
[13] Bhat MA, Maini V, Arora S. Post-Mortem Findings in Deaths due to Drowning, a Study on Autopsied Cases at Government Medical College Hospital Jammu: A Retrospective Study. Med Leg Updat. 2023;23(2):32-6. [DOI: 10.37506/mlu.v23i2.3788]
[14] Dervišević E, Mašić E, Katica M, Čamdžić N, Ajanović Z, Dervišević L, et al. Postmortem Analysis in Drowning-Related Death Determination: Application of the “Diatom Test” in the Forensic Field in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unlocking Myster Death - New Perspect Post-mortem Exam. 2024:1-16. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.112345]
- Abstract Viewed: 57 times
- PDF Downloaded: 50 times