Pallor mortis
Encyclopedia
Pallor mortis is a postmortem paleness which happens in those with light skin almost instantly (in the 15–120 minutes after the death) because of a lack of capillary
circulation throughout the body
. The blood sinks down into the lower parts (according to gravity) of the body creating the livor mortis
.
Paleness develops so rapidly after death that it has little to no use in determining the time of death, aside from saying that it either happened less than 30 minutes ago or more, which could help if the body was found very quickly after death.
Also, a living person can look death-pale. This can happen when the circumstances make the blood escape from the surface of the skin, as in deep shock. Also heart failure (Insufficientia cordis) can make the face look gray; the person then also has blue lips.
Capillary
Capillaries are the smallest of a body's blood vessels and are parts of the microcirculation. They are only 1 cell thick. These microvessels, measuring 5-10 μm in diameter, connect arterioles and venules, and enable the exchange of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and many other nutrient and waste...
circulation throughout the body
Body
With regard to living things, a body is the physical body of an individual. "Body" often is used in connection with appearance, health issues and death...
. The blood sinks down into the lower parts (according to gravity) of the body creating the livor mortis
Livor mortis
Livor mortis , postmortem lividity , or hypostasis is one of the signs of death...
.
Paleness develops so rapidly after death that it has little to no use in determining the time of death, aside from saying that it either happened less than 30 minutes ago or more, which could help if the body was found very quickly after death.
Also, a living person can look death-pale. This can happen when the circumstances make the blood escape from the surface of the skin, as in deep shock. Also heart failure (Insufficientia cordis) can make the face look gray; the person then also has blue lips.