Authors:
Emina Dervišević Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Search for other papers by Emina Dervišević in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Nina Čamdžić Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Search for other papers by Nina Čamdžić in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Ermin Mašić Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Search for other papers by Ermin Mašić in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Amela Dervišević Department of Human Physfiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Search for other papers by Amela Dervišević in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Aida Bešić Department of Clinical Sciences Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo-Veterinary Faculty, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Search for other papers by Aida Bešić in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9157-6942
,
Zurifa Ajanović Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Search for other papers by Zurifa Ajanović in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Muamer Dervišević University Clinical Center – Clinic for Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis “Podhrastovi”, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Search for other papers by Muamer Dervišević in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Nedim Šuta Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Search for other papers by Nedim Šuta in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Suada Kuskunović-Vlahovljak Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Search for other papers by Suada Kuskunović-Vlahovljak in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

Abstract

Microscopic signs indicative of drowning are not specific to drowning but also to any other form of suffocation where mechanical obstruction is involved. Our study aimed to evaluate both macroscopic and microscopic findings across different groups sharing a common mechanism of death but differing causes and to compare the diatom test with pathohistological examination.

Twenty-nine adult Wistar rats, weighing within recommended ranges, were divided into four groups (L1–L4). The diatom test followed established guidelines for diatoms in water from the Bosna River. Microscopic examination revealed diatoms in the lungs of rats in L3 and L4 groups. Pathohistological findings showed varying degrees of changes including consolidation and inflammatory cell infiltration, dominated by lymphocytes and macrophages, with some samples also showing eosinophilic leukocytes.

Significant differences were observed between animals whose cause of death was mechanical asphyxia (suffocatio) and those that were submersed for1 hour versus those that were submersed for 72 hours after death. Diatoms identified in group L4 samples 3, 4, and 5 included Navicula sp. (U3 and U6) and Ulnaria ulna (U4).

Our findings suggest combining the diatom test with pathohistological analysis to support a drowning diagnosis. Further examination of other organs could enhance result reliability.

  • Allam, F. A. F. A., Ali, D. M. and Ali, S. F. E. (2022): Drowning versus postmortem submersion: biochemical and histopathological examination and estimation of postmortem intervals (an experimental study). Leg Med (Tokyo). 59:102138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102138.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Anand, T. P. and Unmesh, A. K. (2016): Diatom test: a reliable tool to assess death by drowning? Int. J. Res. Med. Sci. 4, 14791484. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20161214.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Armstrong, E. J. and Erskine, K. L. (2018): Investigation of drowning deaths: a practical review. Acad. Forensic. For. Pathol. 8(1), 843. https://doi.org/10.23907/2018.002.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Badu, I. K., Girela, E., Beltrán, C. M., Ruz-Caracuel, I. and Jimena, I. (2015): Diatoms in forensic analysis: a practical approach in rats. Med. Sci. Law 55(3), 228235. https://doi.org/10.1177/0025802414538791.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Berger, S., Siekmeyer, M., Petzold-Quinque, S., Kiess, W. and Merkenschlager, A. (2024): Drowning and nonfatal drowning in children and adolescents: a subsequent retrospective data analysis. Children (Basel) 11(4), 439. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040439.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bortolotti, F., Del Balzo, G., Calza, R., Valerio, F. and Tagliaro, F. (2011): Testing the specificity of the diatom test: search for false-positives. Med. Sci. Law 51(1), S7S10. https://doi.org/10.1258/msl.2010.010057.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Byard, R. W. and Summersides, G. (2011): Vitreous humor sodium levels in immersion deaths. J. Forensic Sci. 56, 643644. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01735.x.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cantonati, M., Poikane, S., Pringle, C. M., Stevens, L. E., Turak, E., Heino, J., Richardson, J. S., Bolpagni, R., Borrini, A., Cid, N., et al. (2020): Characteristics, main impacts, and stewardship of natural and artificial freshwater environments: consequences for biodiversity conservation. Water 12(1), 260. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12010260.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Dervišević, E., Katica, M., Mašić, E., Čamdžić, N., Ajanović, Z., Dervišević, L., Salihbegović, A. and Sarajlić, N. (2024): Bone and Tooth: substrates for determining Drowning: a new diagnostic procedure in forensic medicine Practice? Leg. Med. (Tokyo) 66, 102366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102366.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Farrugia, A. and Ludes, B. (2011): Diagnostic of Drowning in Forensic Medicine, Forensic Medicine – From Old Problems to New Challenges. InTech. Available online at: https://www.intechopen.com/books/forensic-medicine-from-old-problems-tonew-challenges/diagnostic-of-drowning-inforensic-medicine. Accessed May 12, 2019.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Fucci, N., Campobasso, C. P., Mastrogiuseppe, L., Puccinelli, C., Marcheggiani, S., Mancini, L., et al. (2017): Diatoms in drowning cases in forensic veterinary context: a preliminary study. Int. J. Legal. Med. 131, 15731580. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-017-1565-y.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Giambelluca, S., Ricci, F., Simonato, M., Vedovelli, L., Traldi, U., Correani, A., Casiraghi, C., Storti, M., Mersanne, A., Cogo, P., Salomone, F. and Carnielli, V. P. (2019): Tracing exogenous surfactant in vivo in rabbits by the natural variation of 13C. Respir. Res. 20(1), 158. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-019-1124-9.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gour, J. K., Saini, R. K., Pathak, D. and Sharma, D. K. (2023): Analysis of the lung’s Histopathologic changes in a variety of acute asphyxia deaths at S.M.S Hospital in Jaipurr. Indian J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 17(2), 6973.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ibrahim, M. A., Hagras, A. M., Khalifa, A. M., Ali, Z. A., Eid, G. A., Rehman, A. and Elserafy, O. S. (2022): Histopathological differentiation of drowning in freshwater and saltwater in rats: forensic point of view. Int. J. Morphol. 40(4), 11341146. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-95022022000401134.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Jalba, A. C., Wilkinson, M. H. F., Roerdink, J. B. T. M., et al. (2005): Automatic diatom identification using contour analysis by morphological curvature scale spaces. Mach. Vis. Appl. 16, 217228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00138-005-0175-8.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Khurshid, A., Shah, M. U., Khurshid, M., et al. (2021): Diatom-positive cadaver: drowning or homicide? Cureus 13(9), e18312. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.18312.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Layon, A. J. and Modell, J. H. (2009): Drowning: update 2009. Anesthesiology 110, 13901401. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181a4c3b8.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Li, Z., Wu, B., Cheng, X., Wu, Y., Zhang, P., Shi, H., Zheng, D., Cheng, J., Liu, C. and Zhao, J. (2019): Evaluation of L/D ratio in a water-related case for the differentiation between drowning and postmortem immersion. Forensic. Sci. Int. Synerg. 1, 6870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.04.001.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lucci, A., Campobasso, C. P., Cirnelli, A. and Lorenzini, G. (2008): A promising microbiological test for the diagnosis of drowning. Forensic Sci. Int. 182, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.09.004.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ludes, B., Coste, M., North, N., Doray, S., Tracqui, A. and Kintz, P. (1999): Diatom analysis in victim's tissues as an indicator of the site of drowning. Int. J. Legal. Med. 112(3), 163166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004140050224.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lunetta, P., Miettinen, A., Spilling, K. and Sajantila, A. (2013): False-positive diatom test: a real challenge? A post-mortem study using standardized protocols. Leg. Med. (Tokyo) 15, 229234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2013.03.002.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • McEwen, B. J. and Gerdin, J. (2016): Veterinary forensic pathology: drowning and bodies recovered from water. Vet. Path. 53, 10491056. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985815625757.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Piegari, G., De Biase, D., d'Aquino, I., Prisco, F., Fico, R., Ilsami, R., Pozzato, N., Genovese, A. and Paciello, O. (2019): Diagnosis of drowning and the value of the diatom test in veterinary forensic pathology. Front. Vet. Sci. 14(6), 404. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00404.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Piette, M. H. and De Letter, E. A. (2006): Drowning: still a difficult autopsy diagnosis. Forensic Sci. Int. 163, 19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.10.027.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ren, L., Chen, Y. Q., Zhou, Q. L., Liu, Z. Z., Li, Y. and Liu, Q. (2021): Relationships between diatom abundances in rat organs and in environmental waters. Curr. Med. Sci. 41(5), 981986. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-021-2443-x.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Schneppe, S., Dokter, M. and Bockholdt, B. (2021): Macromorphological findings in cases of death in water: a critical view on “drowning signs”. Int. J. Legal Med. 135(1), 281291. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-020-02469-9.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Shkrum, M. and Ramsay, D. (2007): Forensic Pathology of Trauma: Common Problems for the Pathologist. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ.

  • Van Beeck, E. F., Branche, C. M., Szpilman, D., Modell, J. H. and Bierens, J. J. (2005): A new definition of drowning: towards documentation and prevention of a global public health problem. World. Heal. Organ. 83, 853856. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0042-96862005001100015.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Verma, K. (2013): Role of diatoms in the world of forensic sciences. J. Forensic Res. 4, 24. https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7145.1000181.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Yen, L. Y. and Jayaprakash, P. T. (2007): Prevalence of diatom frustules in non-vegetarian foodstuffs and its implications in interpreting identification of diatom frustules in drowning cases. Forensic. Sci. Int. 170, 17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.08.020.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Collapse
  • Expand

Senior editors

Editor-in-Chief: Ferenc BASKA

Editorial assistant: Szilvia PÁLINKÁS

 

Editorial Board

  • Mária BENKŐ (Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Gábor BODÓ (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Béla DÉNES (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest Hungary)
  • Edit ESZTERBAUER (Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Hedvig FÉBEL (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • László FODOR (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • János GÁL (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Balázs HARRACH (Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Peter MASSÁNYI (Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic)
  • Béla NAGY (Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Tibor NÉMETH (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Zsuzsanna NEOGRÁDY (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Dušan PALIĆ (Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany)
  • Alessandra PELAGALLI (University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy)
  • Kurt PFISTER (Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany)
  • László SOLTI (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • József SZABÓ (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Péter VAJDOVICH (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • János VARGA (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Štefan VILČEK (University of Veterinary Medicine in Kosice, Kosice, Slovak Republic)
  • Károly VÖRÖS (University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Herbert WEISSENBÖCK (University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria)
  • Attila ZSARNOVSZKY (Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary)

ACTA VETERINARIA HUNGARICA

University of Veterinary Medicine,

H-1078 Budapest, István utca 2., Hungary

Phone: (36 20) 560 4183 (ed.-in-chief) or (36 1) 478 4100/8430 (editor)

E-mail: acta.veterinaria@univet.hu (ed.-in-chief)

Indexing and Abstracting Services:

  • Biological Abstracts
  • BIOSIS Previews
  • CAB Abstracts
  • Chemical Abstracts
  • Current Contents: Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences
  • Elsevier Science Navigator
  • Focus On: Veterinary Science and Medicine
  • Global Health
  • Index Medicus
  • Index Veterinarius
  • Medline
  • Science Citation Index
  • Science Citation Index Expanded (SciSearch)
  • SCOPUS
  • The ISI Alerting Services
  • Zoological Abstracts

 

2024  
Scopus  
CiteScore  
CiteScore rank  
SNIP  
Scimago  
SJR index 0.272
SJR Q rank Q2

2023  
Web of Science  
Journal Impact Factor 0.7
Rank by Impact Factor Q3 (Veterinary Sciences)
Journal Citation Indicator 0.4
Scopus  
CiteScore 1.8
CiteScore rank Q2 (General Veterinary)
SNIP 0.39
Scimago  
SJR index 0.258
SJR Q rank Q3

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica
Publication Model Hybrid
Submission Fee none
Article Processing Charge 1100 EUR/article
Printed Color Illustrations 40 EUR (or 10 000 HUF) + VAT / piece
Regional discounts on country of the funding agency World Bank Lower-middle-income economies: 50%
World Bank Low-income economies: 100%
Further Discounts Editorial Board / Advisory Board members: 50%
Corresponding authors, affiliated to an EISZ member institution subscribing to the journal package of Akadémiai Kiadó: 100%
Subscription fee 2025 Online subsscription: 832 EUR / 916 USD
Print + online subscription: 960 EUR / 1054 USD
Subscription Information Online subscribers are entitled access to all back issues published by Akadémiai Kiadó for each title for the duration of the subscription, as well as Online First content for the subscribed content.
Purchase per Title Individual articles are sold on the displayed price.

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica
Language English
Size A4
Year of
Foundation
1951
Volumes
per Year
1
Issues
per Year
4
Founder Magyar Tudományos Akadémia
Founder's
Address
H-1051 Budapest, Hungary, Széchenyi István tér 9.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address
H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Responsible
Publisher
Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 0236-6290 (Print)
ISSN 1588-2705 (Online)

Monthly Content Usage

Abstract Views Full Text Views PDF Downloads
Nov 2024 360 4 5
Dec 2024 364 10 11
Jan 2025 334 6 8
Feb 2025 250 0 0
Mar 2025 281 1 1
Apr 2025 61 0 0
May 2025 0 0 0