**Core Concept**
Marbling is a post-mortem change that occurs due to the diffusion of blood into the fatty tissues of the body, resulting in a characteristic marbled appearance. This process is facilitated by the breakdown of cellular membranes and the diffusion of lipids into the surrounding tissues.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Marbling typically occurs 24-48 hours after death, as the body's cellular membranes begin to break down and the lipids within the cells start to diffuse out into the surrounding tissues. This process is influenced by factors such as the ambient temperature, the presence of putrefaction, and the type of fatty tissues present in the body.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Marbling does not occur immediately after death, as the cellular membranes take some time to break down and the lipids to diffuse out.
**Option B:** While marbling is a post-mortem change, it is not a feature of early rigor mortis, which typically occurs within the first few hours after death.
**Option C:** Marbling is not a feature of putrefaction, which is a later stage of decomposition characterized by the breakdown of tissues and the presence of foul odors.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Marbling is an important feature in forensic pathology, as it can provide valuable information about the time of death and the post-mortem changes that have occurred.

**Correct Answer:** C.