Postmortem Marbling

In temperate conditions, the first signs of putrefaction occur in about 36 hours. A greenish hue develops in the lower quadrant of the abdomen. Abdominal distension begins to appear, surface veins on the trunk and limbs become discolored(this is called marbling) and gas forms in the lungs and the chest cavity, so that fluid may be expelled from the mouth. Blisters appear on the skin, which then discolors and peels(skin slip) allowing widespread seepage of fluid.