Postmortem Changes and Signs of Death

Cooling of the Body (Algor Mortis)

Algor mortis, or postmortem cooling, refers to the process by which the body temperature decreases after death. This is one of the fundamental signs used in forensic medicine to estimate the time of death.

Mechanism of Algor Mortis

• Upon death, metabolic activity ceases, leading to a gradual decline in body temperature.
• Heat loss occurs via radiation, convection, and conduction.
• Environmental factors such as ambient temperature, humidity, and clothing influence the rate of cooling.

Factors Affecting Algor Mortis

• Body size and fat distribution
• Initial body temperature at death
• Environmental conditions (temperature, air movement, humidity)

Forensic Significance

Algor mortis plays a crucial role in forensic investigations. The cooling rate can be used to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI), helping forensic experts approximate the time of death.