What is identified by livor mortis in a deceased body?

Livor mortis refers to the postmortem phenomenon where blood settles in the lowest parts of the body due to gravity after the heart has stopped beating. This process typically begins within a couple of hours after death and can continue for several hours, resulting in a purplish-red discoloration of the skin where the blood pools. This pattern of discoloration can be critical in forensic investigations, assisting in determining the position of the body at the time of death and possibly indicating if the body has been moved after death. Understanding livor mortis is essential for professionals in crime scene investigation and death studies as it provides insight into the circumstances surrounding a death.