Assessor Resource

MSL975026A
Perform physical examination of forensic samples

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency is applicable to technical officers working in all industry sectors and government agency laboratories, for example, in chemical, food, forensic, medical and environmental laboratories. The term forensic is used to describe tests which may have legal implications, for example, testing paint scrapings to verify claims for insurance companies or examining passports for forgery and tampering.

Examination of forensic physical samples is non-routine and may require the development of new or modified methods. The testing requires a high degree of analytical skill and knowledge and practical experience to perform the analysis and interpret the results. Physical (from a non-living origin) forensic samples include fingerprints, tyre marks, footprints, building materials, soil samples, glass particles, paint scrapings, documents and textile fibres.

All operations and analytical methods 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 perform physical examination and testing of samples that may be used as forensic evidence. Competency includes the ability to establish client needs for routine and non-routine forensic samples, select suitable techniques and methods and modify them if required, obtain valid and reliable data and report test results. Personnel are required to recognise atypical test data/results, troubleshoot common analytical procedure and equipment problems and ensure all testing and reporting meets judicial requirements.

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:

interpret client request, select test methods and perform test methods to a standard acceptable in judicial procedures

sequence and select forensic sample techniques and methods to maximise recovery of sample materials

interpret and draw conclusions from examination and testing results

communicate any problems to a supervisor or industry professional using current and appropriate terminology

maintain security, integrity and traceability of forensic samples/evidence, sub-samples, test data/results and documentation

report results of forensic tests according to judicial and enterprise protocols.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL977003A Contribute to the validation of test methods

MSL975024A Locate record and collect forensic samples.

Resources may include:

standard laboratory with testing equipment and analytical instruments

laboratory reagents and equipment

enterprise procedures and standard methods.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of test data/results obtained by the candidate over a period of time to check accuracy, consistency and timeliness of results

review of workplace documentation and reports completed by the candidate

observation of candidate examining and testing a range of forensic samples/evidence

feedback from clients, 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:

establishing client needs for routine and non-routine forensic samples

completing chain of custody forms according to judicial and enterprise requirements

prioritising the evaluation of items of evidence to ensure sample integrity is maintained

communicating with supervisors and industry professionals using current and appropriate terminology

maintaining integrity and security of all items of evidence/samples

using problem solving/research skills, for example, in troubleshooting equipment problems

applying theoretical knowledge and deductive processes to draw conclusions from test results, for example, by deciding if the results provide evidence that a document has been tampered with

Required knowledge includes:

legal, regulatory, policy and quality system context in which forensic examinations and analyses are conducted

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

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

principles and concepts related to physical testing techniques and methods

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

services available to assist laboratory examination and interpretation of physical evidence

peer review processes for examination of test findings

relevant work health and safety (WHS), and environmental requirements

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 2830.1 Good laboratory practice – Chemical analysis

ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 Uncertainty of measurement – Part 3 Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM)

Eurachem/CITAC Guide CG4 Quantifying uncertainty in analytical measurement

calibration and maintenance schedules

cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements

data quality procedures

enterprise procedures, SOPs and operating manuals

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

incident and accident/injury reports

judicial and enterprise protocols

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

national measurement regulations and guidelines

principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

production and laboratory schedules

quality manuals, equipment and procedure manuals

quality system and continued improvement processes

safety requirements for equipment, materials or products

forensic sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport, storage and disposal)

schematics, work flows and laboratory layouts

statutory and enterprise WHS requirements

stock records and inventory

test procedures (validated and authorised)

training program contents

waste minimisation, containment, processing and disposal procedures

Physical examination and testing samples

Physical examination and testing may be of:

fingerprints

firearms and tool marks

ammunition

ballistics

vehicles

documents and handwriting

Physical tests and examination

Physical tests and examinations may include:

precise measurement of position, orientation and dimensions (e.g. particle size)

mass, density and specific gravity (e.g. compaction)

thermal tests (e.g. combustion properties)

optical tests (e.g. colour matching)

acoustic tests (e.g. loudness)

electrical tests (e.g. insulation)

magnetic tests (e.g. intrinsic induction)

Validation checks and/or calibration standards

Validation checks and/or calibration standards may include:

positive and known positive controls

negative controls (e.g. substrate blanks)

recovery check controls

certified reference materials

Selecting appropriate testing procedures

Selecting appropriate testing procedures may include consideration of:

the range, reliability and validity of available techniques and methods

the physical characteristics of the evidence

availability of further samples

available resources

time and cost constraints

selection of non-destructive techniques where possible or appropriate

minimisation of sample size for destructive techniques

sequence of forensic techniques

the need for possible further analysis by other forensic disciplines

Reviewing laboratory methodology and test results

Reviewing laboratory methodology and test results may include:

assessing the methodology for appropriate application to evidence

assessing chain of custody and sample handling to ensure integrity

assessing testing procedures for compliance with quality system and judicial requirements

evaluating interpretation of test results for validity

Hazards

Hazards may include:

electric shock

radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray and neutron)

sharps, broken glass and hand tools

flammable liquids and gases

sources of ignition

burners and ovens

crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery

disturbance or interruption of services

Hazard control measures

Hazard control measures may include:

ensuring access to shut off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

use of MSDS

labelling of samples and hazardous materials

cleaning equipment and work areas

following established manual handling procedures

personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves, safety glasses and coveralls)

use of fumehoods and direct extraction of vapours or gases

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

minimising exposure to radiation ionising, such as lasers, electromagnetic and ultraviolet (UV) radiation

reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, waste/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
Obtain evidential material/samples following accepted chain of custody procedures 
Record sample description, compare with specification and record and report discrepancies and evaluate to determine if further samples are required 
Evaluate samples and select appropriate laboratory procedure from accepted standard forensic techniques and validated scientific methods 
Identify the possible need to modify enterprise techniques or methods, for example, to ensure recovery of sample materials 
Seek advice from supervisor about any proposed variations and document all approved changes according to the enterprise quality system and judicial requirements 
Schedule analysis using enterprise procedures 
 
 
Prepare sample and store remaining sample in accordance with testing requirements 
 
 
Perform laboratory examination in accordance with validated technique or method on standards, validation checks and samples 
Conduct sufficient testing to obtain reliable data 
Perform tests in appropriate timeframes and at appropriate cost 
Troubleshoot technique or method problems which have led to atypical data or results 
Confirm data is the result of valid measurements 
 
Record results with the appropriate accuracy, precision, uncertainty and units 
Draw conclusions from examination of results according to accepted forensic practices and documented requirements 
Review laboratory methodology and test results 
Identify risks, hazards, safety equipment and control measures associated with sample handling, preparation and analytical method 
Use personal protective equipment and safety procedures specified for test method and materials to be tested 
Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts 
 
Clean, care for and store equipment and consumables in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Enter approved data and results into laboratory information management system (LIMS) according to enterprise quality system and judicial requirements 
Maintain equipment logs in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Maintain security, integrity and traceability of samples and documentation 
Prepare reports for presentation of evidence and communicate results to appropriate personnel 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL975026A - Perform physical examination of forensic samples
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Assessment Record Sheet

MSL975026A - Perform physical examination of forensic samples

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