Forensic Analysis of Diatoms

Forensic Analysis of Diatoms Quiz Crafted By-

Ankit Tripathi

Scientific Officer

Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi

Introduction to Forensic Analysis of Diatoms

Diatoms have been used in forensic science in a variety of ways, the most frequent being the diagnosis of death by drowning. When a person drowns, water will enter the lungs and then enter the bloodstream through ruptures in the peripheral alveoli before being carried to the other organs such as the liver and heart. Naturally, the microscopic contents of the water, which will include diatoms, will pass into the blood as well. The detection of diatoms in the organs can contribute to a diagnosis of death by drowning, a process referred to as the ‘diatom test’

Let's look at the questions and their answer. 

Ques 1. Which of the following statements is not correct regarding diatoms?

a) Diatoms are aquatic unicellular plant

b) Diatoms have an extracellular coat composed of magnesium

c) Acid digestion technique is used to extract diatoms

d) Presence of diatoms in the femoral bone marrow is an indication of antemortem inhalation of water

Answer- b) Diatoms have an extracellular coat composed of magnesium

Ques 2. For diatoms, the best site for taking the sample is

a) Bone Marrow

b) Kidney

c) Muscles                                            

d) Lungs

Answer- a) Bone Marrow

Ques 3. What is the main form of nutrition for diatoms?

a) Branching                                                      

b) Plant Material

c) Symmetry                                     

d) Photosynthesis

Answer- d) Photosynthesis

Ques 4. Diatom’s skeleton called as:

a) Cover

b) Shell

c) Frustule

d) Exoscutum

Answer- c) Frustule

Ques 5. Centric discoid form of diatoms is__________?

a) Coscinodiscus

b) Stephanodis

c) Diplaneis

d) Camphyloneiscus

Answer- a) Coscinodiscus

Ques 6. Diatoms belong to 

a) Bacillariophyceae

b) Xanthophyceae

c) Chrysophyta

d) Both a & c                                                       

Answer- d) Both a & c

Ques 7. Cell wall in diatoms is made of

a) Silica

b) Pectin 

c) Cellulose                                                        

d) Chitin

Answer- a) Silica

Ques 8. Diatoms are major producers and form aquatic

a) Oxygen                                                      

b) Nitrogen

c) Food Chain

d) Food

Answer- c) Food Chain

Ques 9. How would you be most likely to see diatoms with the naked eye?

a) Swimming in schools                                                      

b) Never see with naked eye

c) Colonies on the seabed                                                      

d) Coating a rock or hard surface

Answer- d) Coating a rock or hard surface

Ques 10. Diatoms store food is

a) Oil

b) carbohydrate

c) Fructose

d) Glucose

Answer- a) Oil