The cooling of the body after death is known as what?

• A. Rigor Mortis
• B. Livor Mortis
• C. Pathologist
• D. Algor Mortis

Answer: (D)

Algor mortis is the cooling of the body after death. Once circulation stops, the body loses heat to the surrounding environment, and the rate of cooling helps forensic investigators estimate time since death when considered with other signs. The pace of cooling varies with factors like ambient temperature, clothing, body mass, and environmental conditions.

Rigor mortis refers to the stiffening of muscles after death, not cooling. Livor mortis is the settling of blood in dependent parts, causing discoloration. A pathologist is a medical professional who performs autopsies, not a postmortem change.