Optimization of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) extraction from human cadavers: Advancing forensic pathology and postmortem...

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colourless fluid found in the brain and spinal cord, playing a critical role in forensic pathology. However, peripheral blood is generally prioritized during autopsies, in certain circumstances, such as extensive injury or exsanguination, the blood collection is impossible. In this scenario, CSF becomes invaluable body fluid due to its stability and protected location within the skull and spinal canal and relatively unaffected in the early post-mortem phase. Although CSF extraction is well-known in living patients for diagnosing brain pathologies, however there is a lack of extraction procedures for human cadavers are documented. This study aims to full - fill this gap by optimizing CSF collection techniques in cadavers, with a focus on lumbar puncture,This paper presents the optimisation of CSF collection and the applicability of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in forensic investigation.•In the present study we had taken human autopsy cases (n = 50) to optimised the lumbar puncture collection site.•Sitting position was more appropriate in case of human cadaver as compared to lateral recumbent position to break the Rigor mortis.•Out of 50 cases, we successfully collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 48, which potentially setting a new standard in forensic pathology practices.