What is the term used to describe the settling of blood in a dead body?

The term used to describe the settling of blood in a dead body is lividity. This process occurs as the heart stops beating and blood ceases to circulate, causing it to gravitate toward the lowest parts of the body. Lividity can help forensic investigators determine the position of the body at the time of death, which can be critical in a criminal investigation.

Pallor refers to the paleness of the skin that can occur after death due to lack of circulation. Rigor mortis is the stiffening of the muscles that occurs after death. Cadaveric spasm is a rare phenomenon where a deceased individual's muscles may contract at the moment of death, often associated with extreme physical exertion or emotional stress prior to death. However, none of these terms accurately describe the settling of blood like lividity does.