<prompt> How long will take for the appearance of marbling in a dead body?18 hours36 hours12 hours24 hours  <response>: 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. 