Which of the following conditions would SLOW the rate of cooling of a dead body the most?

• A Obesity ✓
• B Thin body habitus
• C Wet clothing
• D Exposure to wind

Explanation

Obesity slows the rate of cooling because subcutaneous fat acts as an insulator, reducing heat loss. Thin body habitus accelerates cooling due to a higher surface area to body mass ratio. Wet clothing accelerates cooling because water conducts heat away from the body much faster than air. Exposure to wind accelerates cooling by convection. The rate of algor mortis is also affected by environmental temperature and the medium (water cools faster than air).

Reference: Reddy's Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 34th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.