A False-positive Diatom Test in a Non-drowned Victim of Multiple Stab Wounds
10.7580/kjlm.2022.46.2.55
- Author:
Hongil HA
1
;
Yun Taek SIM
Author Information
1. Division of Forensic Medicine, National Forensic Service Seoul Institute, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Brief Case Report
- From:Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2022;46(2):55-58
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
For the diagnosis of drowning in immersed bodies, the diatom test has been controversial due to false-negative and false-positive results. Causes of false positive results include antemortem penetration of diatoms, and postmortem contamination during the submersion or the diatom preparation process. Herein, we report a false-positive case in a 30-year-old woman who died from homicidal multiple stab wounds and was thrown into a shallow farm waterway approximately 10 days after her death. In addition, a discussion on the false-positive diatom test results in immersed bodies with penetrating wounds is provided.
