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Operation of the Mortuary and Postmortem Area
Operation of the Mortuary and Postmortem Area
Highlight I Hospital Accreditation Resources I FMS I MMU I PCI
There are two types of mortuary cold chambers:
Positive temperature
Bodies are kept between 2 °C (36 °F) and 4 °C (39 °F). While this is usually used for keeping bodies for up to several weeks, it does not prevent decomposition, which continues at a slower rate than at room temperature.[3]
Negative temperature
Bodies are kept at between −10 °C (14 °F) and −50 °C (−58 °F). Usually used at forensic institutes, particularly when a body has not been identified. At these temperatures the body is completely frozen, and decomposition is significantly reduced but not prevented.[citation needed]