Calculating Time of Death Using Algor Mortis

Describes the temperature loss in a corpse.

How fast a corpse loses heat can allow investigators to determine roughly how long ago death occurred by its temperature. First 12 hours – body loses 0.78oC (1.4oF) per hour

After 12 hours – body loses 0.39oC (0.7oF) per hour

To take a corpse’s temperature, forensic investigators insert a thermometer into the liver.

Normal Body Temp37oC

First 12 hours body loses 0.78oC per hour

After 12 hours body loses 0.39oC per hour

1. Determine the total temperature loss. Normal body temp – body temp = total temp loss

2. If total temp loss is < 9.36oC follow directions for Less Than 12 Hours of Death

3. If total temp loss is > 9.36oC follow directions for More Than 12 Hours of Death

Determine the total temperature loss. (normal body temp) – (body temp) = total temp loss

# hrs dead = (total temp loss) (rate of loss)

Determine the total temperature loss. Total temp loss = (normal body temp) – (body temp)

Temp lost after 12 hrs = (total temp loss) – (temp loss at 12 hrs)

Hrs dead after 12 hrs = (temp loss after 12 hrs) (rate loss)

Total hrs dead = (12 hrs) + (hrs dead after 12 hrs)

total temp loss = (normal temp) – (body temp) (37oC) – (33.8oC) = 3.2oC (less than 12 hours)

#hrs dead = (total temp loss) (rate of loss) #hrs dead = (3.2oC) (0.78oC)

#hrs dead = 4.1 0.1 hr 60 min = 6 min

#hrs dead = 4 hrs 6 min

total temp loss = (normal temp) – (body temp)

(37oC) – (22.7oC) = 14.3oC (more than 12 hours)

temp lost after 12 hrs = (total temp loss) – (temp loss at 12 hrs)

(14.3oC) – (9.36oC lost first 12 hrs) = 4.94oC

hrs dead after 12 hrs = (temp loss after 12 hrs) (rate loss)

Hrs dead after 12 hrs = (4.94oC) (0.39oC)

Hrs dead after 12 hrs = 12.67 hrs

total hrs dead = (12 hrs) + (hrs dead after 12 hrs)

Total hrs dead = 24.67 hrs = 24 hrs 40 min