What physiological change is indicated by a greenish abdomen within 24-36 hours post-mortem?

The appearance of a greenish discoloration of the abdomen within 24 to 36 hours after death is primarily indicative of livor mortis. This post-mortem phenomenon occurs as blood settles in the lowest parts of the body due to gravity as the heart stops pumping. The greenish color specifically arises from the breakdown of hemoglobin into sulfhemoglobin, which can be enhanced by the presence of bacteria that thrive in the post-mortem environment.

This physiological change serves as a crucial indicator to death investigators about the post-mortem interval and can help in determining the circumstances surrounding the death. The timing of the discoloration is also significant; within the first day and a half after death, livor mortis typically becomes visible and can provide insights about the position of the body at the time of death.

Understanding livor mortis and its characteristics assists investigators in examining the scene and understanding how long the body has been deceased.