Elements and Performance Criteria
- Conduct applied research
- Develop hypothesis to guide research proposal.
- Conduct a literature review using various search techniques.
- Justify the research proposal in relation to the forensic discipline supported by the jurisdiction.
- Analyse research methodology in terms of suitability and potential limitations.
- Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of data/information collection techniques.
- Identify factors that may impact on reliability and validity of the results to protect the integrity of the research project.
- Identify resources for the research taking into consideration cost, availability and access.
- Identify alternative resources or methodologies to ensure that the scope of the research project is met.
- Evaluate hypothesis against the analysis findings and legal and ethical considerations.
- Review data and research findings for accuracy and compliance with legal requirements.
- Report research findings to inform broader forensic community.
- Form an expert opinion
- Evaluate information relevant to the investigation critically to form an expert opinion.
- Develop alternative hypotheses to test the expert opinion.
- Test hypotheses against information using scientific methodology.
- Identify the most likely hypothesis to form a basis for the opinion.
- Acknowledge limitations of the information/evidence when providing an expert opinion.
- Identify assumptions and factual premises on which evidence is based to support the expert opinion.
- Assess the expert opinion to determine whether it withstands scrutiny.
- Justify opinions by explaining the process of reasoning.
- Present expert opinion
- Undertake peer case work review
- Review case work within a quality management system to validate results.
- Review information in a case file to determine quality, accuracy and completeness.
- Form an independent opinion from reviewed information in isolation from the case file opinion.
- Compare the independent opinion with the case findings for verification purposes.
- Communicate feedback to the original author of the case file.
- Evaluate scientific literature and research findings critically
- Identify sources of contemporary information that may be relevant to forensic investigations.
- Evaluate contemporary information to determine potential applicability and suitability within forensic investigations.
- Develop recommendations on better practice based on contemporary research and literature.
- Conduct applied research
- Develop hypothesis to guide research proposal.
- Conduct a literature review using various search techniques.
- Justify the research proposal in relation to the forensic discipline supported by the jurisdiction.
- Analyse research methodology in terms of suitability and potential limitations.
- Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of data/information collection techniques.
- Identify factors that may impact on reliability and validity of the results to protect the integrity of the research project.
- Identify resources for the research taking into consideration cost, availability and access.
- Identify alternative resources or methodologies to ensure that the scope of the research project is met.
- Evaluate hypothesis against the analysis findings and legal and ethical considerations.
- Review data and research findings for accuracy and compliance with legal requirements.
- Report research findings to inform broader forensic community.
- Form an expert opinion
- Evaluate information relevant to the investigation critically to form an expert opinion.
- Develop alternative hypotheses to test the expert opinion.
- Test hypotheses against information using scientific methodology.
- Identify the most likely hypothesis to form a basis for the opinion.
- Acknowledge limitations of the information/evidence when providing an expert opinion.
- Identify assumptions and factual premises on which evidence is based to support the expert opinion.
- Assess the expert opinion to determine whether it withstands scrutiny.
- Justify opinions by explaining the process of reasoning.
- Present expert opinion
- Undertake peer case work review
- Review case work within a quality management system to validate results.
- Review information in a case file to determine quality, accuracy and completeness.
- Form an independent opinion from reviewed information in isolation from the case file opinion.
- Compare the independent opinion with the case findings for verification purposes.
- Communicate feedback to the original author of the case file.
- Evaluate scientific literature and research findings critically
- Identify sources of contemporary information that may be relevant to forensic investigations.
- Evaluate contemporary information to determine potential applicability and suitability within forensic investigations.
- Develop recommendations on better practice based on contemporary research and literature.