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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Respond to incident
   • Receive, record, acknowledge and prioritise tasking.
   • Undertake preliminary assessment and anticipate likely resource requirements prior to arrival at the incident scene.
2. Assess the scene
   • Obtain information from relevant personnel to determine incident details.
   • Survey the incident scene to establish its scope within the scene assessment.
   • Identify resources required to conduct examination of the scene.
   • Identify risk factors and develop strategies to maintain personnel safety and preserve physical evidence.
   • Identify tactical factors and resulting priorities to assist decision making/subsequent action.
   • Establish a systematic plan of action.
   • Conduct a systematic search to identify relevant physical evidence, and maintain the integrity of the evidence.
3. Control the scene
   • Coordinate investigations to preserve life, property and evidence, minimise disruption and comply with operational safety guidelines.
   • Task and coordinate support personnel if necessary to manage the incident scene.
   • Establish and review perimeters to maintain security and integrity of the scene.
   • Maintain a record of movement where relevant.
   • Safeguard persons at the scene and prevent contamination or alteration of the scene.
   • Identify entry and exit paths to preserve evidence and maintain safety of personnel.
   • Assess the incident scene to identify subsequent investigative and/or forensic action.
4. Examine and interpret the scene
   • Record the nature and location (spatial relationships) of physical evidence and identify the sequence of events.
   • Draw conclusions from the physical evidence.
   • Review the conclusions if additional relevant evidence is identified.
5. Respond to incident
   • Receive, record, acknowledge and prioritise tasking.
   • Undertake preliminary assessment and anticipate likely resource requirements prior to arrival at the incident scene.
6. Assess the scene
   • Obtain information from relevant personnel to determine incident details.
   • Survey the incident scene to establish its scope within the scene assessment.
   • Identify resources required to conduct examination of the scene.
   • Identify risk factors and develop strategies to maintain personnel safety and preserve physical evidence.
   • Identify tactical factors and resulting priorities to assist decision making/subsequent action.
   • Establish a systematic plan of action.
   • Conduct a systematic search to identify relevant physical evidence, and maintain the integrity of the evidence.
7. Control the scene
   • Coordinate investigations to preserve life, property and evidence, minimise disruption and comply with operational safety guidelines.
   • Task and coordinate support personnel if necessary to manage the incident scene.
   • Establish and review perimeters to maintain security and integrity of the scene.
   • Maintain a record of movement where relevant.
   • Safeguard persons at the scene and prevent contamination or alteration of the scene.
   • Identify entry and exit paths to preserve evidence and maintain safety of personnel.
   • Assess the incident scene to identify subsequent investigative and/or forensic action.
8. Examine and interpret the scene
   • Record the nature and location (spatial relationships) of physical evidence and identify the sequence of events.
   • Draw conclusions from the physical evidence.
   • Review the conclusions if additional relevant evidence is identified.

Performance 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.

communicating (listening, questioning) and negotiating

controlling persons in the vicinity of the incident scene

analysing, making decisions and solving problems in response to a range of scene contexts, including the systematic examination of incident scenes

working effectively with a range of professionals

managing resources and time

handling exhibits and preserving continuity of evidence

using specialised investigatory equipment, including computer software and/or photographic equipment

operating safely

maximising the value of physical evidence

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Knowledge 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.

government and policy context in which scenes are managed and investigated and the relevant law, policy and procedures

the range of services available to assist in the assessment, management and interpretation of scenes, in particular electronic forensic services

indicators of need for specialist knowledge and investigative techniques

judicial and evidentiary requirements and organisational processes for the collection, preservation and continuity of exhibits

roles and functions of other stakeholders in managing scenes

appropriate scene management techniques and processes

the application and potential limitations of forensic investigative techniques

legislative, procedural and quality systems requirements for the security, protection and preservation of the scene

WHS practices to be followed when examining scenes

forensic methodology

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