Algor mortis, in Forensic study, refers progressive cooling of a body after death till it reaches the temperature of its surroundings. Algor mortis is dependent on physical rules comprising of four distinct factors governing heat transfer –
• Conduction
• Radiation
• Convection
• Evaporation
The interaction of these above-mentioned factors on the body-system is entirely dependent on the environmental factors such as temperature, hygroscopic condition, air agitation, etc. In Forensic Science, the temperature loss is estimated as 1˚C per hour for the first 24 hours. But it should always be remembered that the temperature loss within a period of time is not a linear function rather it is an exponential function of time governed by Newton's law.
Theoretically the estimation of death time in relation to the bodily temperature is much easy, whereas in reality it is found to be more complex with the consideration of various factors such as irregular shape and inhomogeneous composition of human body, bacterial metabolism causing heat production during post-mortem phase, etc.
• Conduction
• Radiation
• Convection
• Evaporation
The interaction of these above-mentioned factors on the body-system is entirely dependent on the environmental factors such as temperature, hygroscopic condition, air agitation, etc. In Forensic Science, the temperature loss is estimated as 1˚C per hour for the first 24 hours. But it should always be remembered that the temperature loss within a period of time is not a linear function rather it is an exponential function of time governed by Newton's law.
Theoretically the estimation of death time in relation to the bodily temperature is much easy, whereas in reality it is found to be more complex with the consideration of various factors such as irregular shape and inhomogeneous composition of human body, bacterial metabolism causing heat production during post-mortem phase, etc.
