What term describes the settling of blood due to gravity after death?

The term that describes the settling of blood due to gravity after death is "Livor Mortis." This phenomenon occurs because, once circulation ceases, blood begins to accumulate in the lowest parts of the body, causing a purplish discoloration of the skin in those areas. Livor Mortis starts to develop within 20 minutes to a couple of hours after death and can help forensic investigators determine the position of the body at the time of death.

In contrast, mummification refers to the preservation process of a body that often involves desiccation and is not associated with blood settling. Rigor Mortis describes the stiffening of muscles after death due to biochemical processes, and adipocere is a waxy substance formed during the decomposition process in the presence of moisture. Understanding these definitions is essential for medical death investigators as they observe post-mortem changes in the body.