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Why does pallor mortis occur after death?
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embalming
An embalming surgeon at work on a soldier's body during the American Civil War.
Pallor mortis occurs because blood circulation ceases throughout the body shortly after death. As the heart stops beating, blood no longer moves through the capillaries, which are the body’s smallest blood vessels, causing the skin to lose its color and appear pale.1
This process typically begins within 15 to 20 minutes after death. While it is a universal physiological change, it is often less immediately noticeable on individuals with darker skin tones.1