Transcript Aim: SWBAT explain what causes algor mortis, and use algor

Date: May 6, 2013
Do Now: In one sentence,
explain how you would estimate
time of death using rigor mortis
1.
2.
Identify portion of
body exhibiting (or
not exhibiting rigor)
Use table to identify
time period
 Rigor
Mortis
 Estimation of time of Death
 Factors affecting Estimate
 Algor Mortis
 Estimation of time of Death
 Factors affecting Algor Mortis
12 hrs – peak rigor
48 hrs
0 hrs
 Temperature
 Body
Weight
 Clothing
 Illness
 Exercise
 Sun Exposure
Can
change estimate
Adjust estimate
accordingly
12 hrs – peak rigor
48 hrs
0 hrs
1.
2.
Man found dead buried in snow. Rigor in the legs
only.
Woman dies during the summer, exhibits no
rigor.
Complete problems 6 – 9 on the worksheet.
12 hrs – peak rigor
48 hrs
0 hrs
6. 12 - 24 hours ago
7. 2-6 hours
8. Cannot be determined,
more evidence needed
9. 24 – 48 hours
 Death
Heat
 Body Temp – Living 37 C
(98.6 F)
 Body fails, heat leaves body
 Temp taken from liver
 Estimate Time of Death
1.
2.
3.
4.
Environment
Temperature
Body Fat
Clothing
In
your notebooks,
answer the following
question: What
causes algor mortis?


Body loses heat over time
Living Body Temperature – 37° C (98.6° F)


A man is found on the side of the road. His
body temperature is 32° C. How long has this
man been dead?
6 hrs 25 mins
 Calculate
how many degrees
have been lost
 Greater or less than 12 hrs?
(9.36° C)
 Calculate any time left over.
◦ Multiply decimal by 60 to get
mins


A woman is found dead. Her body
temperature is 28° C. How long has this
woman been dead?
11 hrs 32 mins


A woman is found dead. Her body
temperature is 20° C. How long has this
woman been dead?
31 hrs 38 mins

Complete the worksheet problems
 In
your notebooks,
write the steps you
would take to
estimate time of death
using algor mortis.