Question

When determining an estimated time of death on-scene, what is the terminology used to describe blood and fluid leaving the areas of the face, nose, and chin assisted by gravity and allowed to settle in the lowest parts of the body?

A. Dependent lividity

B. Cyanosis

C. Rigor mortis

D. Post-partum blood pooling

Answer 1

The term for the settling of blood in lower parts of the body after death due to gravity is Dependent Lividity, a crucial sign for estimating time of death.

Step-by-step explanation:

When determining an estimated time of death on scene, the terminology used to describe blood and fluid leaving areas like the face, nose, and chin due to gravity and settling in the lower parts of the body is known as Dependent Lividity. This physical change is a key indicator for forensic investigators to assess when death might have occurred. Dependent lividity is part of the postmortem changes that occur, alongside other phenomena such as rigor mortis and algor mortis.