Ann Pathol
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The diagnosis of drowning is one of the most difficult in forensic pathology. Drowning is death through the aspiration of fluid into the air passages. Signs of immersion only demonstrate submersion of the body for a period of time but are not signs of drowning. ⋯ The diatom test has poor sensitivity and thus is much debated because it is always difficult to rule out possible contamination. Moreover, a negative diatom test cannot rule out drowning as the cause of death. The diagnosis of drowning is based on police investigations, forensic autopsy, microscopic analysis, and biochemical tests, but never solely on pathology findings.