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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. Establish client needs and schedule analysis
  2. Prepare samples and standards
  3. Obtain a representative analytical portion of the sample
  4. Prepare validation checks and/or calibration standards for analytical portions
  5. Perform analysis
  6. Process and analyse data
  7. Perform any required calculations and ensure results are consistent with standards or estimations and expectations
  8. Maintain a safe work environment
  9. Ensure the safe disposal of laboratory wastes
  10. Maintain laboratory records and report results

Required Skills

Required skills include

establishing client needs for routine and nonroutine 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 evidencesamples

using problem solvingresearch skills for example in troubleshooting equipment problems

applying theoretical knowledge and deductive processes to draw conclusions from test results

Required knowledge includes

legal regulatory policy procedural and quality system requirements for the collection preservation security continuity and disposal of forensic samples and evidence exhibits

terminology and principles of locating recording collecting storing transporting testing and reporting forensic samplesevidence

principles and concepts related to testing techniques and methods

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

peer services available to assist laboratory examination testing and interpretation of forensic samples

review processes for examination of test findings

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

interpret client request and select and perform test methods to the standard required in judicial procedures

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

interpret and draw conclusions from complex forensic testing results

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

maintain security integrity and traceability of forensic samplesevidence subsamples test dataresults and documentation

report results of forensic examinations and 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

MSLA Contribute to the validation of test methods

MSL977003A Contribute to the validation of test methods

MSLA Locate record and collect forensic samples

MSL975024A Locate, record and collect forensic samples

Resources may include

standard laboratory with analytical instruments

laboratory reagents and equipment

enterprise procedures and standard methods

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of test dataresultsreports 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 testing a range of forensic samplesevidence

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 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 2830.1-1985 Good laboratory practice – Chemical analysis

AS 2162.1-1996 Verification and use of volumetric apparatus – General – Volumetric glassware

AS 2134.1-1999 Recommended practice for chemical analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry – Flame atomic absorption spectrometry

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

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

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

schematics, work flows and laboratory layouts

statutory and enterprise work health and safety (WHS) requirements

stock records and inventory

test procedures (validated and authorised)

training program contents

waste minimisation, containment, processing and disposal procedures

Complex testing on forensic samples

Complex testing may include techniques and methods such as:

infra-red and ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectrometric techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence and (XRF) neutron activation analysis (NAA)

chromatographic techniques, such as gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), ion chromatography (IC) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)

electrometric techniques, such as ion selective electrodes, voltammetry (polarography) and anodic stripping voltammetry

electrophoretic techniques, such as capillary electrophoresis

electrometric methods, such as anodic stripping voltammetry

molecular techniques, such as DNA profiling and polymerase chain reaction

scanning electron microscopy

Validation checks and/or calibration standards

Validation checks and/or calibration standards may include:

positive and known positive controls

negative controls, such as substrate blanks

recovery check controls

certified reference materials

Reviewing laboratory methodology and test results

Reviewing laboratory methodology and test results may include:

assessing the methodology for appropriate application to evidence

assessing the 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

biohazards:

microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, and human or animal tissue and fluids

mycotoxins

chemicals:

acids (e.g. sulphuric, perchloric and hydrofluoric)

heavy metals and pesticides

anions (e.g. fluoride)

hydrocarbons (e.g. mono-aromatics)

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

sharps and broken glassware

aerosols from broken centrifuge tubes and pipetting

flammable liquids and gases

cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen

fluids under pressure, such as hydrogen in gas liquid chromatography and acetylene in atomic absorption spectrometry

sources of ignition

high temperature ashing processes

disturbance or interruption of services

Hazard control measures

Hazard control measures may include:

use of MSDS

labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials

personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, and coveralls

use of fumehoods, direct extraction of vapours and gases

use of appropriate equipment, such as biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets

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 UV radiation

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