A body examined 4 hours after death shows a rectal temperature of 39 degrees Celsius although the ambient temperature is 24 degrees Celsius. History reveals the deceased was a chronic alcoholic found unconscious before death. The rise in body temperature after death is best explained by:
- A Postmortem caloricity due to rapid bacterial multiplication and continued biochemical activity ✓
- B Antemortem fever from infection, unrelated to death
- C Solar radiation absorbed by the body surface
- D Error in thermometer calibration
Explanation
Postmortem caloricity is a genuine rise in body temperature after death, seen in deaths from tetanus, strychnine poisoning, septicaemia, heat stroke and in chronic alcoholics. It results from vigorous bacterial activity and continuing biochemical reactions outpacing heat loss once circulation has ceased. Recognising it is important because using body cooling formulas in such cases gives falsely short postmortem intervals. Antemortem fever cannot be excluded purely by temperature, but the classic associations make caloricity the expected answer.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (K.S. Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.