Algor mortis refers to postmortem cooling of the body.

• A. Rigor mortis
• B. Livor mortis
• C. Autolysis
• D. Postmortem cooling of the body

Answer: (D)

Algor mortis is the postmortem cooling of the body as heat is lost to the surrounding environment after death. This cooling occurs until the body reaches ambient temperature and its rate can vary with factors like room temperature, body size, and clothing, which is why it’s used to help estimate time of death in forensic contexts.

Rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles after death due to ATP depletion; livor mortis is the pooling of blood in dependent parts, causing discoloration; autolysis is the self-digestion of cells by their own enzymes leading to decomposition. The description given matches algor mortis because it specifically refers to cooling after death.