Assessor Resource

MSL975024A
Locate record and collect forensic samples

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency is applicable to technical officers working in all industry sectors and government agency laboratories, for example, in food, forensic, medical and environmental laboratories. The term forensic is used to describe the collection of samples which may have legal implications, for example, samples collected to verify insurance claims or prove paternity for payment of maintenance.

All operations must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or enterprise requirements. Although a supervisor may not always be present, the technical officer will follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) that clearly describe the scope of permitted practice, including varying enterprise/test procedures and communicating results to people outside the laboratory.

This unit of competency covers the ability to locate, record and collect evidence or samples that will be used for forensic examination or testing. Competency includes the ability to locate, collect, package, transport and store forensic samples.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

use observations skills to locate samples/evidence

interpret and apply evidence/sample collection methods accurately

safely locate, record, collect, transport and store samples/evidence

keep accurate records

communicate any problems to a supervisor or industry professional

maintain security, integrity and traceability of samples/evidence, sub-samples and documentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.

Resources may include:

enterprise procedures and standard methods

sample containers

containers for transporting samples.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of job sheets or journal of completed activities

review of workplace documentation completed by the candidate

observation of candidate collecting a range of samples/evidence

feedback from peers, supervisors and industry professionals

oral or written questioning of required knowledge.

In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess required knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work place environment.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills include:

completing chain of custody forms according to judicial and enterprise requirements

communicating with supervisors and industry professionals using current and appropriate terminology

maintaining integrity and security of all items of evidence/samples

storing and transporting samples according to judicial and enterprise protocols

techniques for documenting, collecting, packaging, preserving and transporting forensic evidence/samples

Required knowledge includes:

legislative, regulatory, policy, procedural and quality system requirements for the location, collection, preservation, security, continuity and disposal of samples and evidence (exhibits)

terminology and principles of locating, recording, collecting, storing and transporting samples/evidence

potential limitations of own specialist knowledge and when to seek advice from other services

services available to assist in the documenting, collection, preservation and continuity of forensic evidence/samples

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Codes of practice

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected that the latest version be used

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS ISO 1000-1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application

AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

AS/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set

AS/NZS ISO 9000 Set:2008 Quality management systems set

AS 1678 Emergency procedure guide –Transport

AS 1940-2004 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids

AS/NZS 4452:1997 The storage and handling of toxic substances

AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic Set:2007 Environmental management standards set

Australia Post Guides

Australian Dangerous Goods Code

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) codes of practice

International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

judicial and enterprise protocols

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

national measurement regulations and guidelines

work health and safety (WHS) national standards and codes of practice

quality manuals, equipment and procedures manuals

Location of evidence/samples

Evidence/samples may be from:

industrial accidents

criminal investigations

contaminated sites

searches and evidence collection

fire and explosion

disasters

vehicle collisions

motor vehicles

Detection of evidence/samples

Evidence/samples detection methods may be:

chemical

optical

physical

Sample collection methods

Sample collection methods may include:

hand picking (including use of forceps and gloves)

tape lifting

sweeping

vacuuming

swabbing

liquid and solid sampling procedures

Methods for recording location of evidence

Methods for locating the position of located evidence may include:

photographs (including CU where required)

video

diagrams and sketches

hand written notes

documentation

computer data

global positioning system (GPS)

Evidence/samples

Evidence and samples may include:

any and all objects:

gross or microscopic

living or inanimate

solid, liquid or gas

relationships between all such objects

development/enhancement/examination (e.g. use of poly light)

trace evidence examinations

biological samples, such as organs, hair, blood, semen and saliva

blood splatter patterns

clothing

documents

drugs

explosives

fibres

fingerprint development/ enhancement/examination

fire debris

firearm and ammunition examinations

impressions

paint

petroleum products

powder residues

serial numbers

shoeprint and tyre marks

soils and minerals

toolmark examination

Packaging samples

Packaging samples may take into account:

physical nature of the evidence/sample

packaging medium

tamper evident seals

exhibit labels

drying of wet exhibits

storage temperature

Maintaining integrity of samples

Maintaining the integrity of samples could involve:

use of appropriate sample containers (glass, plastic and opaque)

use of appropriate preservatives

wrapping container in foil to exclude light

temperature control, which may involve prevention of direct contact between the sample and coolant

use of appropriate equipment boxes (insulated, shockproof and waterproof)

restraint of containers to prevent movement

checking sample viability during transport while avoiding unnecessary handling

Hazards

Hazards may include:

access related (e.g. down cliff faces)

chemicals, such as acids and solvents used in drug labs

collapse of unstable structures, such as after arson

confined space entry

cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen

flammable liquids and gases

fluids under pressure, such as steam and industrial gases

infectious agents from corpses

lifting heavy and awkward items

microbiological organisms and agents, associated with soil, air and water

radiation, such as alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray and neutron

sharps, broken glassware and hand tools

sources of ignition

Hazard control measures

Hazard control measures may include:

use of equipment to address dangers at sites (e.g. propping up unstable walls or climbing gear to go down cliffs)

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

using biohazard containers

labelling of samples and hazardous materials

handling and storage of hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer instructions

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

cleaning equipment and work areas regularly using enterprise procedures

using personal protective clothing and equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, coveralls and safety boots

following established manual handling procedures

reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/wastewater, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates to appropriate personnel

WHS and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise WHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation – these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Locate evidence/sample using observation and appropriate detection methods 
Identify appropriate sample collection methods 
Prioritise the evaluation of items of evidence to ensure maintenance of sample integrity 
Identify appropriate methods to record the evidence/samples in accordance with quality systems and within resource constraints 
Record position of located evidence using a variety of appropriate techniques 
Produce documented records of evidential material according to judicial and/or enterprise guidelines 
Collect sufficient number and quantity of evidence/samples (where possible) to allow complete examination or analysis and to represent the mass of the physical evidence 
Collect controls and reference samples where possible and appropriate 
Collect latent evidence using physical or chemical methods 
Package, transport and store evidence/samples to ensure continuity and maintain integrity of forensic samples 
Collect and document details of evidential material in case notes and/or in the evidence register to maintain chain of custody 
Identify risks, hazards, safety equipment and control measures associated with evidence/sample collection 
Use personal protective equipment and safety procedures specified 
Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts 
 
Clean, care for and store equipment and consumables in accordance with enterprise procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL975024A - Locate record and collect forensic samples
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

MSL975024A - Locate record and collect forensic samples

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: