The following are extrinsic factors of algor mortis: clothing, covering, ambient temperature and humidity. These illustrate which category?

• A. Intrinsic factors of algor mortis
• B. Extrinsic factors of algor mortis
• C. Postmortem chemical changes
• D. None of the above

Answer: (B)

Algor mortis is the cooling of the body after death, and its rate is governed by external conditions. The items listed—clothing, coverings, ambient temperature and humidity—are external influences that change how quickly heat is lost, so they are extrinsic factors of algor mortis. Internal body characteristics, such as size, fat content, or metabolic state, would be intrinsic factors, not what’s described here. Postmortem chemical changes refer to chemical processes after death, not the physical cooling influenced by the environment. Therefore, these examples illustrate extrinsic factors of algor mortis.