A suffocated body can appear in a variety of ways, depending on the cause of death and the length of time that passed before the death was discovered. Generally, the body of a person who has died by suffocation will have discoloration in the face, neck, and chest area, and may be in a state of rigor mortis.
Discoloration of the Skin
The skin of the face, neck, and chest area may be discolored due to the lack of oxygen. This discoloration can range from a reddish-purple hue to a deep purplish-blue hue. In some cases, the skin may have a grey or greenish-yellow color.
Rigor Mortis
Rigor mortis is a condition in which the muscles of the body become stiff and rigid after death. This is caused by a chemical reaction in the body which results in the muscles becoming rigid. It usually begins within three to four hours of death and can last for several days. In cases of suffocation, the body may be in a state of rigor mortis when discovered because the lack of oxygen would have caused the reaction to occur sooner.
Post-Mortem Changes
Other post-mortem changes that may be present in the body of a person who has died by suffocation include swelling of the face and neck area, as well as petechiae, which are small red spots on the skin due to broken blood vessels. Additionally, there may be a frothy substance around the mouth, nose, and eyes due to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues.
