Algor mortis
Algor Mortis: The Post-Mortem Temperature Change[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Algor Mortis (from Latin algor—coldness; mortis—of death) refers to the change in body temperature following death. It is the second stage of death and involves the body gradually cooling down until it reaches ambient temperature.
Physiological Process[edit | edit source]
After death, the body loses heat progressively, a process influenced by various factors including ambient temperature and the deceased's body composition. The rate of cooling can provide crucial information in forensic investigations.
Factors Influencing Algor Mortis[edit | edit source]
Several external and internal factors affect the rate of Algor Mortis:
- Ambient temperature
- Clothing and environmental conditions
- Body fat composition
- The medium in which the body is found
- Initial body temperature at the time of death
Forensic Significance[edit | edit source]
In forensic science, understanding Algor Mortis is essential for:
- Estimating the time of death
- Providing clues about the circumstances surrounding death
- Differentiating between antemortem and postmortem events
Stages of Death and Algor Mortis[edit | edit source]
Algor Mortis is one of several stages of death, each providing different forensic clues:
- Rigor Mortis (muscular stiffening)
- Livor Mortis (settling of blood in the lower part of the body)
- Decomposition
Measurement and Calculation[edit | edit source]
The measurement of Algor Mortis typically involves:
- Recording the core body temperature
- Calculating the rate of cooling
- Adjusting calculations based on environmental and body factors
Challenges and Limitations[edit | edit source]
Algor Mortis can present challenges in forensic analysis due to:
- Variability in individual cooling rates
- Environmental complexities
- Potential disturbances of the body after death
References[edit | edit source]
- National Center for Biotechnology Information - Postmortem Changes
- Forensic Magazine - The Postmortem Interval
- ScienceDirect - Algor Mortis
External Links[edit | edit source]
- Britannica - Forensic Science: The Time of Death
- ASTM Standard E1954 - Practice for Conduct of Research in Forensic Psychophysiology.
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