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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. Assess biological and non-biological evidence
   • 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.
2. Apply presumptive/confirmatory testing and enhancement techniques
   • 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.
3. Perform comparative analyses 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.
4. Record examinations using forensic photography
   • 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.
5. Examine evidence found on/associated with a human body
   • 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.
6. Evaluate results of scientific examinations
   • 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.
7. Assess biological and non-biological evidence
   • 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.
8. Apply presumptive/confirmatory testing and enhancement techniques
   • 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.
9. Perform comparative analyses 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.
10. Record examinations using forensic photography
    • 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.
11. Examine evidence found on/associated with a human body
    • 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.
12. Evaluate results of scientific examinations
    • 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.

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.

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

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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.

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

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