Important test in forensic medicine

Test in the case of drowning: 

• Getter’s test- to differentiate between fresh water drowning and salt water drowning 

 

Tests for semen: (Mnemonic: Chora semen flow se barbad)

• Florence test- detect choline 
• Barberio test- detect spermine 

• Acid phosphatase test 

 

Test for blood: 

• Adler’s / Benzidine test- It’s carcinogenic so no longer use.

• Phenol phthalein / Kastle meyer test

• Teichmann’s / Hemin crystal test - Brown rhombic crystal 

• Takayama / Hemo chromogen crystal test - Pink feathery crystal 

 

Note- Spectroscopic examination is the most definitive test for blood.

 

Test for saliva: 

• Phadebas test 

 

Test for live birth:

• Wreden’s test- for air in middle ear (Mnemonic: W = E)

• Breslaus sign- for air in stomach and duodenum.

• Ploquet’s test- Weight of lung increase due to blood flow

• Fodere’s test- Measure weight of lung

• Hydrostatic floatation test (Raygat’s test / Docimasy)- Lung float if the child has respired

 

Test for air embolism: 

• Pyrogallol test - for air embolism 

 

Test for cessation of respiration-

• Mirror test

• Winslow test

• Feather test

 

Test for cessation of circulation-

• Magnus test (Ligature test)

• Icard’s test 

• Diaphanous test (Transillumination test)

• Pressure test (Fingernail test)

• Heat test 

 

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