What term describes the postmortem settling of blood in the dependent parts of the body?

The term that describes the postmortem settling of blood in the dependent parts of the body is livor mortis. This physiological phenomenon occurs after death as the blood, no longer being pumped by the heart, begins to gravitate towards the lowest parts of the body due to gravity. This settling can result in a noticeable discoloration of the skin, particularly in areas that are in contact with a surface or are directed downwards.

Livor mortis can provide essential information in forensic science; it is critical for determining the position of the body at the time of death, as the pattern of blood pooling can reveal if the body has been moved postmortem. The timing of livor mortis can vary based on environmental conditions and individual factors, but typically begins within 30 minutes to 2 hours after death and can become fixed after several hours.

Other terms do not describe this specific process. Rigor mortis refers to the stiffening of muscles after death, while putrefaction involves the decomposition of the body due to bacterial activity, and marbling is related to the vascular discoloration seen in advanced decomposition. Understanding livor mortis is essential for forensic investigators when assessing death scenes.