Body temp

• How does body cool down after death?

  • Post death body temp is 37 °C
  • Cools gradually over 24 hrs
  • Following a sigmoid curve
  • Until ambient temp is reached
• How do you measure core body temp?

  • Temp probe
  • Via rectum/liver
  • Repeat to get mean
• What factors affect body temp post death?

  • Clothing
  • Body position
  • Ambient temp (steeper temp gradient = faster cooling)
  • Weather conditions
  • Activity before death