I was wondering if there is a title/role in movies, specifically horror or Sci-fi movies, for characters that are cast specifically to die as a way of being an example. This could be as a way to show the cast/party that things have turned horribly wrong or to show what they are up against.
These characters usually die at the beginning of an outbreak or as soon as a there is a troubling encounter with a new obstacle, such as a trap room with a unseen trick.