Question

The temperature of a body of a deceased person is found to be 39 degrees Celsius. Which of the following is the most probable reason?

• A. Cyanide poisoning
• B. Septicemia
• C. Corrosive poisoning
• D. Intra-abdominal hemorrhage

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

In forensic medicine, understanding post-mortem changes is crucial for determining the cause of death. One such change is the body's temperature after death, commonly assessed using the principle of algor mortis, where the body progressively cools after death. However, a post-mortem body temperature of 39 degrees Celsius is atypical as it is higher than the normal body temperature at the time of death. This suggests a specific factor influencing the temperature rise.

Septicemia is an infection-induced condition that can cause a significant increase in body temperature due to fever in life, which can persist briefly after death due to ongoing metabolic activity by the bacteria present in the bloodstream and tissues. This infection can raise the body's temperature above the normal level even after death.

Therefore, the most probable reason for the deceased person's elevated body temperature is Septicemia.