COOLING OF THE BODY AFTER DEATH A body is not a uniform structure. Itβs temperature will not fall evenly and because each body will lie in its own unique environment, each body will cool at a different speed, depending upon the many factors surrounding it.
Variables and factors also affect the rate of cooling of a body and together they show why the sensible forensic pathologist will be reluctant to make any pronouncement on the time of death based on the body temperature alone. These are: π Mass of the body. π Mass/surface area. π Body temperature at the time of death. π Site of reading of body temperature(s). π Posture of the body β extended or curled into a fetal position. π Clothing β type of material, position on the body or lack of it. π Obesity β because fat is a good insulator. π Emaciation β lack of muscle bulk allows a body to cool faster. π Environmental temperature. π Winds, draughts, rain, humidity etc.
