It is always most intense and most rapid in its onset when death is preceded by active muscular exertion.
There have been cases of instantaneous death in battle where the body has remained in the position it held at the moment of death, this being due to the instantaneous onset of muscular rigidity.

The blood remains fluid for a time after death and settles in the more dependent parts of the body, producing bluish red mottled discolorations.

Later the blood coagulates in the vessels.

The body loses moisture by evaporation.

Drying of the surface takes place where the epidermis is thin, as over the transparent part of the eye and over areas deprived of epidermis.