What is Livor Mortis?
Livor mortis, or post-mortem lividity, is the reddish-purple discoloration of the skin caused by the settling of the blood in the lower (dependent) portions of the body after death. It is usually not visible until two to six hours after death, and can last for up to 48 hours.
What Causes Livor Mortis?
When a person dies, the heart stops pumping blood around the body, and gravity causes the blood to settle in the lower parts of the body. This causes the skin to take on a reddish-purple or bluish-purple color.
How Long Does it Take for a Dead Body to Turn Blue?
The process of livor mortis starts to become visible within two to six hours after death, and the color can change to a deep blue-purple color within 12 to 48 hours. The color of the skin depends on how long the body has been dead, and how much blood has settled in the lower parts of the body.