Estimating Time of Death Algor Mortis Rigor Mortis Livor Mortis

Algor Mortis temperature of death Loss of 1.4 degrees F per hour for the 1 st 12 hours after death 1.4 degrees/hour x 12 hours=16.8 F lost After 12 hours, loss of 0.7 degrees per hour

Factors Affecting heat loss Cooler air temp (body loses heat faster) Warmer air temp (slows heat loss) Clothed body, heat loss is slower Overweight body, heat loss is slower Thin or small, heat loss is accelerated In water, body cools faster

Livor Mortis begins 2 hours after death Lividity-The pooling of blood in the parts of the body that are lowest to the ground. Becomes permanent after 8 hours IF the skin is discolored but turns white when touched, lividity has not been completed and the body has been dead between 2 and 6 hours

Rigor Mortis Stiffness of death Begins 2 hours after death Begins in eyelids, face and neck, then extends to the center of the body and lastly to the arms and legs PEAK rigor -12 hours after death Loss of rigor- gradually after 12 hours, begins in face and neck NO rigor 36 hours after death

Factors affecting Rigor Mortis Ambient temperature (cool air slows onset) Clothed body –faster rigor If person was exercising or running, onset of rigor is faster due to build up of lactic acid and lack of oxygen

Stomach Content Undigested food- death occurred zero to 2 hours after last meal Stomach empty, but food in small intestines, death occurred at least 4-6 hours after meal If small intestines are empty and wastes are found in large intestines, death probably occurred 12 or more hours after meal