Deepali Luthra 1, Jasvirinder Singh Khattar 2, Mukesh Kumar Thakar 3 and
Sacheen Kumar 4*
1Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, India
2Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, India
3Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, India
4Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Galgotias University, Greater Noida 203201, India
*(e-mail: sacheen3@gmail.com)
(Received: 23 July 2025; Accepted: 5 September 2025)
ABSTRACT
Forensic limnology is a branch of forensic science that focuses on the study of inland waters and their ecosystems. It plays a crucial role in various forensic investigations related to aquatic environments. Forensic limnology involves the analysis of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of lakes, rivers, ponds, and other water bodies, providing essential insights into cases such as drowning, disposal of evidence in water, connecting crime scenes, victims, and suspects, and estimating the time elapsed since submersion. A particularly noteworthy element within forensic limnology is the microalgae (phytoplankton), which are tiny, ubiquitous, and diverse organisms that thrive in the upper regions of water, where sunlight is abundant. Microalgae are invaluable tool in aquatic forensic investigations due to their microscopic size, not only they can easily enter the victim’s body (ante-mortem drowning), but they can also easily transfer to the victim’s body or belongings such as clothing and shoes. Forensic limnology is thus critical for examining the aquatic ecosystem and the evidence it contains, aiding in the resolution of various types of crimes. This review paper outlines the importance of forensic limnology in solving crimes in the aquatic environment. It emphasizes the role of microalgae (phytoplankton) in forensic science and demonstrates their applications in determining drowning cases, estimating postmortem submersion intervals, and establishing links between suspects, victims, and crime scenes. The chapter aims to raise awareness among forensic pathologists, forensic scientists, and forensic medico-legal experts about the potential utility of microalgae in solving the mysteries of cases involving aquatic environments.
Key words : microalgae, diatoms, drowning deaths, forensic limnology, immersion cases