Różnorodność gatunkowa i ekologia okrzemek potencjałem w kryminalistyce – możliwości i ograniczenia

Abstract

The autecology of diatoms and their species diversity make them suitable for use in forensics. Diatomology, a specialty of environmental biology, brings benefits to forensics and offers many opportunities in combating crime. The presence of diatoms not only in the lungs, but also in other organs such as the kidneys, stomach, liver and bone marrow, can be a valuable clue in diagnosing drowning. Bone marrow, particularly ribs, may be an ideal tool for diatom analysis to confirm drowning as the cause of death. Studies using an animal model were conducted to determine whether diatoms could passively penetrate rib bone marrow after prolonged exposure to water. These studies ruled out the possibility of passive penetration of diatoms into bone marrow, thus confirming the usefulness of rib examination in diatom-based drowning assessment. Comparative studies of diatoms show that they can not only be a helpful tool in diagnosing drowning, but also enable confirmation, exclusion and identification of the place of drowning or the location with which the suspect had contact. Mapping aquatic ecosystems for diatom analysis to investigate how the structure of diatom communities is shaped, for example, by seasonal changes, is another step towards the development of forensic diatomology, as this information could, for instance, be the basis for indicating a drowning site. To properly secure material that may be subject to diatomological research for forensic purposes, a methodology has been developed containing practical guidelines and recommendations dedicated to officers securing evidence and comparative material at the scene.