Question

Determine the approximate time of death using evidence from algor mortis. Show your work. Approximately how long has the victim been dead if his body temperature was 33.1°C (91.6°F)?

Answer 1

By comparing the normal body temperature of 37°C to the discovered temperature of 33.1°C and dividing the difference by the hourly cooling rate (0.78°C/hour), we estimate the victim has been dead for approximately 5 hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

Algor mortis is the process by which a body cools after death until it reaches the ambient temperature.

A healthy living human's normal body temperature is typically around 37°C (98.6°F).

Using the fact that the body cools at an approximate rate of 0.78°C (1.4°F) per hour, here's how you would estimate the time of death:

• Determine the victim's body temperature at the time of finding, which is given as 33.1°C (91.6°F).
• Subtract this temperature from the normal body temperature of approximately 37°C (98.6°F).
• This gives (37°C - 33.1°C) = 3.9°C.
• Divide the temperature difference by the approximate cooling rate of 0.78°C/hour to get the approximate time since death.
• This results in 3.9°C / 0.78°C/hour ≈ 5 hours.

Therefore, the victim has been dead for approximately 5 hours.