As a result of gravity, when the blood stops circulating, it begins to settle to the lowest portion of the body. This process is known as?

• A. Lividity
• B. Algor Mortis
• C. Rigor Mortis
• D. Pathologist

Answer: (A)

Lividity, or livor mortis, is the settling of blood to the lowest parts of the body after circulation stops due to gravity. This creates a purplish-red discoloration in dependent areas and helps investigators infer the body’s position at death and whether it was moved. Algor mortis refers to cooling of the body, rigor mortis to the stiffening of muscles, and a pathologist is the professional who conducts autopsies, not a postmortem change.