Final answer:
Documentation of bloodstain patterns at a death scene does not typically include samples of bloodstains, but it does include photographs, sketches showing directionality, and descriptions of the characteristics of bloodstains.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the documentation of bloodstain patterns at a death scene, a crucial part of forensic investigations. The documentation would not typically include samples of bloodstains, as these are physical evidence collected for further analysis rather than documented visually or descriptively. However, it would include photographs of bloodstains, sketches of bloodstain patterns to show directionality, and descriptions of bloodstain characteristics (i.e., color and consistency). These methods are used to interpret the events that led to the bloodstains, helping determine the nature and timing of the trauma.
For instance, in the study of perimortem trauma where injuries occur close to the time of death, sharp object injuries show distinct characteristics. Cuts made by swords, axes, and sickles, which are the most common in such cases, leave clean-cut marks that follow a straight line on bones, indicative of the energy and precision behind the blow. Understanding and documenting these characteristics, including the direction and nature of the bloodstains, can help reconstruct the sequence of events and contribute to the legal investigation.