Livor mortis, also known as lividity or postmortem lividity, refers to the discoloration of the skin that occurs after death. This is caused by the settling of blood in the lower parts of the body due to gravity. There are a few synonyms that can be used for livor mortis, including postmortem lividity, cadaveric lividity, death discoloration, and death hypostasis. These terms are used interchangeably in the field of forensic science, and they all refer to the same phenomenon. Livor mortis can be an important indicator of the time of death and can help forensic professionals piece together the events surrounding a death.