When does Algor mortis begin?

Algor mortis refers to the process of postmortem body cooling. It begins once the body begins to cool after death, which occurs as the body's temperature drops towards the ambient temperature over time. This cooling effect starts because the metabolic processes that generate heat cease with the death of the individual.

The body retains heat for a short period after the heart stops, but it doesn't actually start cooling until after the life processes have concluded entirely. Other factors, such as environmental temperature and body fat percentage, can influence the rate at which cooling occurs.

The other options do not capture the time frame accurately; confirming death or finding and examining the body do not indicate the start of this cooling process. Understanding the onset of algor mortis is crucial for estimating the time of death in forensic investigations.