Authors

Harshlata Chavhan, Gajanan Chavan, Pravin Zopate, Bipin Tirpude

Abstract

Introduction: Post-mortem changes in the cerebrospinal fluid occur rapidly and are quite erratic. And among the electrolyte’s potassium and sodium ion concentration gives a more precise value of time since death. The ratio of sodium and potassium ions is a better parameter for predicting time since death compared to postmortem interval estimation from sodium or potassium values alone. Hence, we studied the correlation between CSF potassium and sodium ion changes with time since death. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out in the department of forensic medicine of a tertiary care government hospital from June 2018 to December 2021. This study has been extended to directly compare the accuracy of determining death intervals from biochemical parameters of cerebrospinal fluid. In 124 medico-legal cases with a known time of death, cerebrospinal fluid was taken from ventricles and analysed for sodium and potassium. Results: A strong correlation between time since death and the ratio of sodium to potassium is observed. The time since death was regressed by the ratio of sodium to potassium. Conclusion: The changes in electrolytes (sodium, potassium) in CSF after death do not show any significant relation with the age, sex, various causes of death of the individual. The TSD and value of CSF potassium and sodium level show particular relationship in estimating time since death.

Key words

DOI

 10.59988/jfmsl.vol.32issue2.6