What is the term for the method of determining time of death that is considered inaccurate?

The term associated with determining the time of death that can be considered inaccurate is algor mortis. Algor mortis refers to the cooling of the body after death and is generally assessed based on the temperature of the body compared to the environment. While it provides a rough estimate of how long it has been since death occurred, various factors such as environmental temperature, clothing, and body composition can significantly influence the rate of cooling. This variability makes it less reliable as a precise method for determining the exact time of death.

On the other hand, rigor mortis, which involves the stiffening of muscles after death, can provide a more consistent time frame within certain limits. Livor mortis, or postmortem lividity, describes the settling of blood in the lower parts of the body and can offer information regarding the position of the body post-mortem. Time of death estimation is a broad term that encompasses all methods used, including rigor mortis and livor mortis, which are generally considered more reliable than algor mortis.