Journal of Forensic Medicine ›› 2022, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 114-118.DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2021.410605

Special Issue: 水中尸体研究专题

• Techniques and Applications • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Comparison of Application of MD-VF-Auto SEM Method and Plankton Gene Multiplex PCR System in the Diagnosis of Drowning

Jian-miao ZHANG1(), Tian-chun LIN1, Zhen-yu LIAO1, Yu-kun DU2, Zhong-hao YU2, Jing-jian LIU3, Sai-qun WU4, Xiao-dong KANG5, Qu-yi XU5, He SHI5, Jian ZHAO5, Chao LIU5(), Dang-en GU1()   

  1. 1.Huadu District Branch of Guangzhou Public Security Bureau, Guangzhou 510800, China
    2.School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
    3.College of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
    4.Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, Guangzhou 510030, China
    5.Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou 510442, China
  • Received:2021-06-14 Online:2022-02-25 Published:2022-02-28
  • Contact: Chao LIU,Dang-en GU

Abstract: Objective

To compare the application effect of microwave digestion - vacuum filtration - automated scanning electron microscopy (MD-VF-Auto SEM) method and plankton gene multiplex PCR system in the diagnosis of drowning.

Methods

Lung, liver and kidney tissue of 10 non-drowning cases and 50 drowning cases were prepared for further MD-VF-Auto SEM method analysis and plankton gene multiplex PCR system analysis. The positive detection rate of the two methods in each tissue was calculated.

Results

The positive rate of the MD-VF-Auto SEM method detecting diatoms in drowning cases was 100%, and few diatoms were detected in the liver and kidney tissues of 6 non-drowning cases. By using the plankton gene multiplex PCR system, the diatom positive rate of drowning cases was 84%, and all the non-drowning cases were negative. There were significant differences in the positive rate of the liver, kidney tissues between MD-VF-Auto SEM method and plankton gene multiplex PCR system (P<0.05), as well as the total positive rate of cases. However, no significant differences were found in the positive rates of lung tissues (P>0.05).

Conclusion

MD-VF-Auto SEM method is more sensitive than plankton gene multiplex PCR system in diatom test. But the plankton gene multiplex PCR system can also detect plankton other than diatoms. Combination of the two methods can provide a more reliable basis for the diagnosis of drowning.

Key words: forensic pathology, drowning, diatom test, plankton, multiplex PCR system, microwave digestion-vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy method

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