The Comparative Study of Diatom Species in Freshwater and Riverbanks to Support Forensic Science

Abstract

This research aimed to study and compare the types of Diatoms in Khao Rup Chang Canal along the riverbank at distances of 0, 1, and 2 meters with those types at distance of 1 kilometer apart at 3 points on each side of the canal by studying the morphological characteristics for classification Types of Diatoms. Diatoms are classified as phytoplankton found in natural water sources. There are varieties and are specific to each area. They can be used to prove facts in forensic science processes including the identification of the drowning location and the linkage of Diatoms from the deceased and the suspect. Diatoms have a unique cell wall. The so-called frustals can be clearly seen using the Diatomic Treatment Method with HCL and H2SO4 to completely remove the frustals. By classifying the species and counting the number of Diatoms with Hematocytometer, it was found that the predominant species of Diatoms found in the water at each point was the same as those found in the soil along the riverbank at 0 meter of each point. By studying the density of Diatoms at each point, and from testing the differences with Pair-t-test, it was found that there were no significant differences. Therefore, the classification of Diatom species can be used to identify drowning sites, moving a corpse, including linking the Diatoms from the deceased and those found from the suspect