Google Links

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

Elements and Performance Criteria

Prepare for evidence/sample collection
Record locations and details of evidence/ samples
Collect evidence/ samples
Package evidence/ samples
- 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
Maintain a safe work environment
Ensure the safe disposal of waste
- Clean, care for and store equipment and consumables in accordance with enterprise procedures

Required Skills

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 evidencesamples

storing and transporting samples according to judicial and enterprise protocols

techniques for documenting collecting packaging preserving and transporting forensic evidencesamples

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 samplesevidence

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 evidencesamples

Evidence Required

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 samplesevidence

interpret and apply evidencesample collection methods accurately

safely locate record collect transport and store samplesevidence

keep accurate records

communicate any problems to a supervisor or industry professional

maintain security integrity and traceability of samplesevidence subsamples 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 samplesevidence

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 andor 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

Range Statement

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