What is pallor mortis?

Pallor mortis is the first stage of death-related changes in a body, occurring shortly after death. It refers to the paleness that develops as blood circulation ceases and blood settles in the lower parts of the body due to gravity. This process typically begins within 15 to 30 minutes after death and can last for several hours, depending on environmental conditions. Pallor mortis is one of the key indicators used in forensic science to estimate the time of death.