Algor mortis (AM) is influenced by the environmental temperature, clothing and several pre- and perimortem considerations. Holding those factors constant the body cools very little during the first hour and then at a rate of about 1.5 degrees (F) per hour until reaching equilibrium with the environment. However this assessment is valid only for a few hours following death as the rate of AM slows as body temp nears environment temp.

The postmortem temperature you cite would be of no value in establishing time of death.

I would like to ask: does the temperature follow a an exponential curve (of the form basically) when you say 'about 1.5 F per hour'?

Oh and...

Can I ask for the reason why it takes a little longer for the first hour?
Is it because of some metabolism still working?

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Originally Posted by Unknown008

I would like to ask: does the temperature follow a an exponential curve (of the form basically) when you say 'about 1.5 F per hour'?

Oh and...

Can I ask for the reason why it takes a little longer for the first hour?
Is it because of some metabolism still working?

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No, the cooling is not directly proportional to the difference of temperature between the body and environment. When plotted against time it is not an exponential curve (i.e.Newton's law). Rather, it is better represented as a sigmoid curve.

The first hour (or thereabout) sometimes referred to as the initial temperature plateau, and is explained by/related to an infinite cylinder theory. In all candor I never understood or cared about that (although the professor never caught on to my indifference). If you are interested in that aspect here is a link: Forensic Journal and Forensic Sciences

In real time I believe it is related to the various densities of organs and cells within the body and the fact that physiologically death is a process as opposed to a simultaneous event. Cells die at different times/rates following cessation of respiration (clinical death). The cooling curves for various body regions vary considerably. Additionally, temperatures postmortem are obtained by rectal, and more commonly, liver spike and the body is cooling outside>inside.

Thank you very much. It's really interesting :)

My temperature is 33.1, do I need to see a doctor
?

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Originally Posted by magac

my temperature is 33.1, do i need to see a doctor
?

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That's unlikely. You perhaps haven't waited enough to get a correct temperature, or took it the wrong way...

If you're unsure, you can see one.