Under most conditions, when does the appearance of lividity, or livor mortis, peak?
8 - 12 hours
12 - 18 hours
0.5 - 2 hours
0 and 30 minutes
60 - 72 hours
Show Answer and Explanations
8 - 12 hours — Correct answer
Correct. Lividity peaks at 8 - 12 hours
12 - 18 hours
Incorrect. Lividity becomes fixed between 12 and 18 hours.
0.5 - 2 hours
Incorrect. Lividity starts between 0.5 and 2 hours.
0 and 30 minutes
Incorrect. Lividity usually does not start within 30 minutes. Low perfusion states such as cardiogenic shock can cause lividity to start earlier, even before death.
60 - 72 hours
Incorrect. Generalized bloating occurs around 60 - 72 hours.
Summary
Summary: Lividity starts around 30 minutes - 2 hours, peaks around 8 - 12 hours, and becomes fixed between 12 and 18 hours.