5 Hours ago:
Algor mortis refers to the postmortem cooling of the body, which occurs gradually until the body reaches the temperature of its surroundings. The rate of cooling depends on various factors, such as the ambient temperature, humidity, and the body's initial temperature.
Based on the information provided in the question, we can estimate the time of death by using the following formula:
Time of death = (Body temperature when found - Normal body temperature) ÷ Cooling rate per hour + Time of death delay
The normal body temperature is typically 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius), but variations can occur depending on factors such as age, health, and activity level.
The cooling rate per hour is usually assumed to be around 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit (0.83 degrees Celsius) per hour, but this can vary depending on the aforementioned factors.
The time of death delay refers to the time it takes for the body to start cooling after death. This delay can also vary depending on factors such as body size and clothing.
Assuming a normal body temperature of 98 degrees Fahrenheit and a cooling rate of 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour, we can estimate that the victim died around 5 hours ago:
Time of death = (88 - 98) ÷ 1.5 + Time of death delay
Time of death = -6.67 + Time of death delay
Since a negative time of death is not possible, we can assume that the time of death delay is around 5 hours, which gives us an estimated time of death of 5 hours ago.