Morgue - Types of Cold Chambers

Types of Cold Chambers

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.

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 very much reduced.

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