Assessor Resource

POLFOR001
Apply specialised forensic science techniques

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes the skills required to apply specialised forensic techniques within crime scene investigations. This includes identifying, enhancing, recording and analysing evidence.

This unit applies to specialist police staff as part of the forensic investigation of crime or incident scenes.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to continuity of evidence, forensic information management, work health and safety (WHS) and quality management.

Those undertaking this unit would be required to work autonomously and as part of a team. They would demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and evaluate crime scene related evidence to develop and test hypotheses. They would demonstrate knowledge of sciences as they apply to crime scene investigation. They would perform sophisticated tasks requiring strong adaptability across a broad range of unpredictable contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

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



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.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

assessing characteristics of biological and non-biological evidence

identifying and applying advanced forensic techniques to examine evidence

determining sequence of examinations

identifying and applying enhancement techniques

performing comparative analyses through the application of advanced forensic techniques

recording information

applying scientific methodology to support forensic analyses, logical thinking and problem solving within a crime/incident scene investigation

demonstrating forensic photographic techniques to record results, including exposure, lighting, viewpoints and composition

recording results in complex photographic situations, including macro, highly reflective or curved surfaces, low contrast and large scale low light circumstances, and multi-colour/multi contrast instances

managing continuity of evidence

using specialised forensic technology and equipment

identifying, enhancing, recording, collecting and analysing evidence using various techniques

gathering and collating information

interpreting and evaluating information and opinions to inform the investigation

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

jurisdictional coronial and criminal legislation related to forensic investigation

jurisdictional information management systems

jurisdictional policies and procedures related to forensic investigations, including quality management systems, occupational/workplace health and safety, forensic photography and expert evidence

fundamental principles of physics and how they are applied within a forensic environment (including mechanics and motion, forces, trajectory, electricity)

fundamental principles of mathematics and how they are applied/calculated within a forensic environment (including trigonometry, triangulation)

fundamental principles of chemistry (including behaviour of acids and bases, catalytic reactions)

fundamental principles of biology (including molecular biology, cell structure function and replication, serology)

human anatomy and physiology (including terminology, structural organisation, body systems, death processes and indicators)

scientific methodology

five stages of Disaster Victim Identification

principles and definitions of comparative analysis (including pattern recognition, class and individual characteristics)

advanced forensic techniques (including optical, physical and chemical enhancement)

supporting scientific principles and operating principles of specialised forensic techniques

limitations and sensitivity of presumptive/confirmatory tests

illumination techniques (including visible, polarising, bright and dark field techniques)

post-mortem medical process and procedures

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.

This unit has been identified by industry as suitable for holistic assessment. Refer to advice in the Assessment Guide.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.


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.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

assessing characteristics of biological and non-biological evidence

identifying and applying advanced forensic techniques to examine evidence

determining sequence of examinations

identifying and applying enhancement techniques

performing comparative analyses through the application of advanced forensic techniques

recording information

applying scientific methodology to support forensic analyses, logical thinking and problem solving within a crime/incident scene investigation

demonstrating forensic photographic techniques to record results, including exposure, lighting, viewpoints and composition

recording results in complex photographic situations, including macro, highly reflective or curved surfaces, low contrast and large scale low light circumstances, and multi-colour/multi contrast instances

managing continuity of evidence

using specialised forensic technology and equipment

identifying, enhancing, recording, collecting and analysing evidence using various techniques

gathering and collating information

interpreting and evaluating information and opinions to inform the investigation

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

jurisdictional coronial and criminal legislation related to forensic investigation

jurisdictional information management systems

jurisdictional policies and procedures related to forensic investigations, including quality management systems, occupational/workplace health and safety, forensic photography and expert evidence

fundamental principles of physics and how they are applied within a forensic environment (including mechanics and motion, forces, trajectory, electricity)

fundamental principles of mathematics and how they are applied/calculated within a forensic environment (including trigonometry, triangulation)

fundamental principles of chemistry (including behaviour of acids and bases, catalytic reactions)

fundamental principles of biology (including molecular biology, cell structure function and replication, serology)

human anatomy and physiology (including terminology, structural organisation, body systems, death processes and indicators)

scientific methodology

five stages of Disaster Victim Identification

principles and definitions of comparative analysis (including pattern recognition, class and individual characteristics)

advanced forensic techniques (including optical, physical and chemical enhancement)

supporting scientific principles and operating principles of specialised forensic techniques

limitations and sensitivity of presumptive/confirmatory tests

illumination techniques (including visible, polarising, bright and dark field techniques)

post-mortem medical process and procedures

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.

This unit has been identified by industry as suitable for holistic assessment. Refer to advice in the Assessment Guide.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

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
Identify physical characteristics of biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value. 
Identify physical characteristics of non-biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value. 
Select advanced forensic techniques for the examination of trace/gross biological and non-biological evidence material. 
Identify presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine sequence of forensic processing. 
Conduct field based presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine the evidentiary value. 
Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to maximise evidentiary value. 
Conduct enhancement techniques to assist in location, recording, collection and interpretation of physical evidence. 
Identify options for comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value. 
Select comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value. 
Conduct comparative analysis examinations to establish an opinion on inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency. 
Verify examination results to substantiate the opinion on individualisation, inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency. 
Record examination and results to substantiate the opinion. 
Assess crime/incident scene to select photographic technique/s. 
Apply photographic techniques in a methodical and sequential manner to record scene/incident/evidence. 
Apply light theory to determine techniques for photographic recording of evidence. 
Manage continuity of photographic images used for specialist examinations. 
Assess human body to locate evidence. 
Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to locate, record and collect evidence. 
Apply forensic techniques to record and collect evidence from human body. 
Interpret the nature of wounds/injuries to inform the investigation. 
Interpret characteristics of human body associated with death to inform the investigation. 
Compare available information with examination of human body to verify or disprove information. 
Review examination results for reliability and justification. 
Evaluate significance of the evidence to form a conclusion or opinion within the context of the investigation. 
Gather further information on evidence to validate conclusions/opinions. 
Collate information related to the forensic investigation for reporting purposes. 
Identify physical characteristics of biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value. 
Identify physical characteristics of non-biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value. 
Select advanced forensic techniques for the examination of trace/gross biological and non-biological evidence material. 
Identify presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine sequence of forensic processing. 
Conduct field based presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine the evidentiary value. 
Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to maximise evidentiary value. 
Conduct enhancement techniques to assist in location, recording, collection and interpretation of physical evidence. 
Identify options for comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value. 
Select comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value. 
Conduct comparative analysis examinations to establish an opinion on inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency. 
Verify examination results to substantiate the opinion on individualisation, inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency. 
Record examination and results to substantiate the opinion. 
Assess crime/incident scene to select photographic technique/s. 
Apply photographic techniques in a methodical and sequential manner to record scene/incident/evidence. 
Apply light theory to determine techniques for photographic recording of evidence. 
Manage continuity of photographic images used for specialist examinations. 
Assess human body to locate evidence. 
Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to locate, record and collect evidence. 
Apply forensic techniques to record and collect evidence from human body. 
Interpret the nature of wounds/injuries to inform the investigation. 
Interpret characteristics of human body associated with death to inform the investigation. 
Compare available information with examination of human body to verify or disprove information. 
Review examination results for reliability and justification. 
Evaluate significance of the evidence to form a conclusion or opinion within the context of the investigation. 
Gather further information on evidence to validate conclusions/opinions. 
Collate information related to the forensic investigation for reporting purposes. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

POLFOR001 - Apply specialised forensic science techniques
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

POLFOR001 - Apply specialised forensic science techniques

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: