Mulgrew (right) celebrates his opening goal with Sone Aluko
Aberdeen consigned Inverness to a fourth straight defeat with a comfortable victory in the Highlands.
The visitors took the lead when Charlie Mulgrew fired a free-kick past Inverness goalkeeper Ryan Esson.
Gary McDonald doubled the Dons' advantage with a well-taken strike in the 51st minute.
Darren Mackie chipped Esson to put Aberdeen further ahead five minutes later, securing a third straight league win for Jimmy Calderwood's side.
The match was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of Jock Macdonald, the founding chairman of Inverness Caledonian Thistle who passed earlier in the week.
Lee Miller went close for the visitors early on and Inverness' Don Cowie had a shot deflected wide before the Dons opened the scoring.
David Proctor conceded a free-kick in a central area and Mulgrew took full advantage as he scored his fourth goal of the season with a curling shot.
The home side threatened a quick leveller when Imrie beat Mulgrew in the air, but the Inverness midfielder's effort was off target.
Esson was tested by Aberdeen winger Jeffrey de Visscher's shot and the goalkeeper also did well to punch away Mulgrew's dangerous corner.
Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, who had been relatively untroubled, was then required to gather Ian Black's powerful effort from 25 yards.
Referee Calum Murray waved away Inverness' claims for a penalty after the ball appeared to strike Zander Diamond's hand.
Inverness' Garry Wood holds off the challenge of Zander Diamond
Don Cowie headed over from Ian McBain's cross before the first half drew to a close.
Miller almost got Aberdeen's second early in the second half but was foiled by Esson's save.
However, the Dons did not have to wait long to extend their lead.
Imrie's loose header was intercepted by McDonald, who beat Esson with a drilled shot from the edge of the box.
Mackie then escaped the challenge of Richard Hastings and lofted the ball over the advancing Esson and into the net.
Black came close to reducing Aberdeen's deficit when his chip rebounded back off the crossbar.
Inverness had another penalty claim turned down when Garry Wood's volley appeared to come off Mark Kerr's hand, with Hastings booked for his protests.
Ross Tokely was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Sone Aluko before Aberdeen striker Michael Paton made his debut as a replacement for Miller.
Inverness CT manager Craig Brewster: "I don't think there was much between the two teams but Aberdeen scored three goals.
"We all know the importance of scoring goals. When you lose a world class goal but the next two are mistakes, it gets real tense.
"I'm certainly not happy with the position we're in. We will be trying everything to get out of this situation.
"It's going to take character to get out of. There's no place to hide. We know what we have to do to get out of it."
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood: "It was convincing victory today. I'm pleased with the result. It was a good team performance.
"The quality of the goals was wonderful and I think that was the difference. We got them at very good times.
"The Inverness players gave everything today and it just wasn't to be but if they keep battling like that, they will get a result.
"That's three wins on the trot now. Results elsewhere have gone for us. It's been a good day for us."
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