The Livor mortis reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004
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Livor mortis

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Livor mortis or postmortem lividity, one of the signs of death, is a settling of the blood in the lower (dependent) portion of the body, causing a purplish red discoloration of the skin. This discoloration does not occur in the areas of the body that are in contact with the ground or another object, as the capillaries are compressed.