How long will take for the appearance of 'marbling' in a dead body?
18 hours
36 hours
12 hours
24 hours
The superficial veins especially over the roots of the limb, thighs, sides of the abdomen, shoulders, chest and neck are stained greenish-brown or purplish-red (linear branching pattern) due to the hemolysis of red cells, which stains the wall of the vessel and infiltrates into the tissue, giving a marbled appearance (red, then greenish pattern in skin resembling the branches of a tree). This stas in 24 hours, but is prominent in 36-48 hours. Ref: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by Narayan Reddy, 27th edition, Page 145.