Assessor Resource

POLINV003
Manage incident scenes

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills required to manage incident scenes to secure evidence for investigations, including conducting initial assessments, controlling scenes, coordinating investigations of scenes and managing physical evidence. Terminology used differs between jurisdictions; incident scenes may also be referred to as crime scenes.

This unit applies to those working as police officers, generally in a designated investigation role, who are required to assess, control and coordinate 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 work health and safety (WHS), investigation procedures and evidence management.

Those undertaking this unit would demonstrate strong autonomy, making independent decisions and accessing support from a broad range of services. The individual would be required to possess supervision and management skills, leadership abilities and robust communicative competence. The individual would work on complex 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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Assess incident scenes

1.1 Identify scenes for investigation purposes.

1.2 Evaluate scenes to determine actions required for preservation of life, property and evidence.

1.3 Define scenes to determine investigative approach and establish resource requirements.

1.4 Identify risks affecting scenes to address safety concerns and preservation of evidence.

2. Control incident scenes

2.1 Secure boundaries of scenes to prevent contamination of prospective evidence/exhibits.

2.2 Manage risks affecting scenes to preserve safety of self, colleagues and public.

2.3 Control suspects to facilitate further investigation.

2.4 Control persons at scenes to safeguard their welfare and prevent contamination of scenes.

2.5 Coordinate stakeholders to manage scenes.

2.6 Record activities at scenes to support investigation.

2.7 Preserve potential evidence/exhibits to prevent contamination.

3. Coordinate incident scene investigations

3.1 Formulate informal/formal plans to select methods and resources for processing scenes.

3.2 Communicate with stakeholders to contain scenes and identify roles and responsibilities.

3.3 Coordinate stakeholders to process and rehabilitate incident scenes.

3.4 Identify persons relevant to scenes and initial investigation.

3.5 Interview identified persons to determine possible avenues of inquiry and offences/defences.

3.6 Assess information collected to initiate investigative action.

3.7 Conduct briefings in accordance with jurisdictional reporting processes.

3.8 Refer persons to relevant support agencies for welfare purposes.

4. Manage physical evidence

4.1 Identify evidence/exhibits at scenes using investigative methods.

4.2 Process evidence/exhibits to maintain continuity and integrity.

4.3 Record identified physical evidence for investigative purposes.

4.4 Seize and secure identified physical evidence to ensure continuity and integrity.

4.5 Address hazards associated with physical evidence.

4.6 Examine physical evidence to collect information and identify further investigation requirements.

4.7 Record handling of physical evidence.

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.

defining and securing incident scenes, both primary and secondary

preserving life, property and evidence at incident scene through the identification of risk factors

controlling persons and suspects at incident, including searching, separating and securing them

communicating with and managing witnesses and victims

coordinating stakeholders to manage, process and rehabilitate incident scene

identifying specialist support services required at incident scene

managing information for planning, recording and reporting purposes

applying investigative techniques to collect information and evidence, including investigative interviewing

handling exhibits and preserving continuity of evidence

examining physical evidence, with consideration of work health and safety

referring relevant persons to external services for support and welfare purposes

coordinating the return, disposal and storage of physical evidence

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.

organisational and policy context in which incident scenes are managed and investigated

judicial and evidentiary requirements

jurisdictional processes for the collection, preservation and continuity of exhibits

investigation techniques

capabilities, powers and authorities of services external to policing

risk factors associated with incident scenes, both tactical and environmental

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

Consideration must be given to holistic assessment for this unit. Refer to advice in the companion volumes.

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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Assess incident scenes

1.1 Identify scenes for investigation purposes.

1.2 Evaluate scenes to determine actions required for preservation of life, property and evidence.

1.3 Define scenes to determine investigative approach and establish resource requirements.

1.4 Identify risks affecting scenes to address safety concerns and preservation of evidence.

2. Control incident scenes

2.1 Secure boundaries of scenes to prevent contamination of prospective evidence/exhibits.

2.2 Manage risks affecting scenes to preserve safety of self, colleagues and public.

2.3 Control suspects to facilitate further investigation.

2.4 Control persons at scenes to safeguard their welfare and prevent contamination of scenes.

2.5 Coordinate stakeholders to manage scenes.

2.6 Record activities at scenes to support investigation.

2.7 Preserve potential evidence/exhibits to prevent contamination.

3. Coordinate incident scene investigations

3.1 Formulate informal/formal plans to select methods and resources for processing scenes.

3.2 Communicate with stakeholders to contain scenes and identify roles and responsibilities.

3.3 Coordinate stakeholders to process and rehabilitate incident scenes.

3.4 Identify persons relevant to scenes and initial investigation.

3.5 Interview identified persons to determine possible avenues of inquiry and offences/defences.

3.6 Assess information collected to initiate investigative action.

3.7 Conduct briefings in accordance with jurisdictional reporting processes.

3.8 Refer persons to relevant support agencies for welfare purposes.

4. Manage physical evidence

4.1 Identify evidence/exhibits at scenes using investigative methods.

4.2 Process evidence/exhibits to maintain continuity and integrity.

4.3 Record identified physical evidence for investigative purposes.

4.4 Seize and secure identified physical evidence to ensure continuity and integrity.

4.5 Address hazards associated with physical evidence.

4.6 Examine physical evidence to collect information and identify further investigation requirements.

4.7 Record handling of physical evidence.

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.

defining and securing incident scenes, both primary and secondary

preserving life, property and evidence at incident scene through the identification of risk factors

controlling persons and suspects at incident, including searching, separating and securing them

communicating with and managing witnesses and victims

coordinating stakeholders to manage, process and rehabilitate incident scene

identifying specialist support services required at incident scene

managing information for planning, recording and reporting purposes

applying investigative techniques to collect information and evidence, including investigative interviewing

handling exhibits and preserving continuity of evidence

examining physical evidence, with consideration of work health and safety

referring relevant persons to external services for support and welfare purposes

coordinating the return, disposal and storage of physical evidence

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.

organisational and policy context in which incident scenes are managed and investigated

judicial and evidentiary requirements

jurisdictional processes for the collection, preservation and continuity of exhibits

investigation techniques

capabilities, powers and authorities of services external to policing

risk factors associated with incident scenes, both tactical and environmental

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

Consideration must be given to holistic assessment for this unit. Refer to advice in the companion volumes.

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 scenes for investigation purposes. 
Evaluate scenes to determine actions required for preservation of life, property and evidence. 
Define scenes to determine investigative approach and establish resource requirements. 
Identify risks affecting scenes to address safety concerns and preservation of evidence. 
Secure boundaries of scenes to prevent contamination of prospective evidence/exhibits. 
Manage risks affecting scenes to preserve safety of self, colleagues and public. 
Control suspects to facilitate further investigation. 
Control persons at scenes to safeguard their welfare and prevent contamination of scenes. 
Coordinate stakeholders to manage scenes. 
Record activities at scenes to support investigation. 
Preserve potential evidence/exhibits to prevent contamination. 
Formulate informal/formal plans to select methods and resources for processing scenes. 
Communicate with stakeholders to contain scenes and identify roles and responsibilities. 
Coordinate stakeholders to process and rehabilitate incident scenes. 
Identify persons relevant to scenes and initial investigation. 
Interview identified persons to determine possible avenues of inquiry and offences/defences. 
Assess information collected to initiate investigative action. 
Conduct briefings in accordance with jurisdictional reporting processes. 
Refer persons to relevant support agencies for welfare purposes. 
Identify evidence/exhibits at scenes using investigative methods. 
Process evidence/exhibits to maintain continuity and integrity. 
Record identified physical evidence for investigative purposes. 
Seize and secure identified physical evidence to ensure continuity and integrity. 
Address hazards associated with physical evidence. 
Examine physical evidence to collect information and identify further investigation requirements. 
Record handling of physical evidence. 
Identify scenes for investigation purposes. 
Evaluate scenes to determine actions required for preservation of life, property and evidence. 
Define scenes to determine investigative approach and establish resource requirements. 
Identify risks affecting scenes to address safety concerns and preservation of evidence. 
Secure boundaries of scenes to prevent contamination of prospective evidence/exhibits. 
Manage risks affecting scenes to preserve safety of self, colleagues and public. 
Control suspects to facilitate further investigation. 
Control persons at scenes to safeguard their welfare and prevent contamination of scenes. 
Coordinate stakeholders to manage scenes. 
Record activities at scenes to support investigation. 
Preserve potential evidence/exhibits to prevent contamination. 
Formulate informal/formal plans to select methods and resources for processing scenes. 
Communicate with stakeholders to contain scenes and identify roles and responsibilities. 
Coordinate stakeholders to process and rehabilitate incident scenes. 
Identify persons relevant to scenes and initial investigation. 
Interview identified persons to determine possible avenues of inquiry and offences/defences. 
Assess information collected to initiate investigative action. 
Conduct briefings in accordance with jurisdictional reporting processes. 
Refer persons to relevant support agencies for welfare purposes. 
Identify evidence/exhibits at scenes using investigative methods. 
Process evidence/exhibits to maintain continuity and integrity. 
Record identified physical evidence for investigative purposes. 
Seize and secure identified physical evidence to ensure continuity and integrity. 
Address hazards associated with physical evidence. 
Examine physical evidence to collect information and identify further investigation requirements. 
Record handling of physical evidence. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

POLINV003 - Manage incident scenes
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

POLINV003 - Manage incident scenes

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: