Diatoms and Drowning—A Review

Abstract

The use of diatoms in the diagnosis of cause of death by drowning is reviewed. The arguments for and against the method are described, and the possible reasons for divergent opinions explored. Attention is drawn to the observations of some workers that the organs of non-drowned subjects may contain diatoms. Important papers in Hungarian, German, Russian and French particularly relevant to this subject have been translated and their essence presented here.