The Faulty Science of the Floating Lung Test: More Pseudo Forensic Science

Proof of live birth is often necessary to prove that a woman killed her newborn child. The floating lung test requires that medical examiners take pieces of an infant’s lung and place them in water. The theory is that if the lungs float, demonstrating oxygen was in the lungs, the child was born alive. If the lungs sink, the conclusion is that the infant died in utero, thereby clearing a formerly pregnant women from liability for the death. Is the floating lung test a valid test?