How long will take for the appearance of 'marbling' in a dead body?
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.
18 hours
36 hours
12 hours
24 hours