RESUMO
Objection To observe the change rules of quantity and species of diatom sin Hunhe River in Shenyang and to provide technology and scientific evidence for drow ning identification and the location of drow ning in forensic investigation. Methods In 2011, different locations for collecting water sam pleswere chosen in Hunhe River in Shenyang. Water sam pleswere collected and variation of quantity and species of diatom swere observed every month. And variation of dom inant species of diatom swas ob-served every week. Results The quantity, speciesand dom inant species of diatom sin Hunhe River in Shenyang varied with different tim eand locations. The quantity and species of diatom swere lowest from Decem ber to February and gradually increased, reaching peak in May and second peak in October, and then gradually decreased. The dom inant species of diatom s varied significantly adjacent two weeksat same location from April to N ovem ber, but had little changesat different locationsin same week from July to August. Conclusion The change rules of quantity and species of diatom sare com plicated and affected by various factors such as environm ent and hydrology. The change rules of speciesand quantity of diatom s should be considered in forensic investigation of drow ning identification and the lo-cation of drow ning.