Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

PUAPOLFC009A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Develop and maintain forensic discipline expertise

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PUAPOLFC009A - Develop and maintain forensic discipline expertise
Description This unit covers the competency to develop expertise in a recognised forensic discipline and maintain that expertise.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Pre-requisite Unit/sNil
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Develop forensic discipline expertise
  • Formal/informal discipline-training requirements are completed with identified training programs
  • Internal and/or external competency appraisal is successfully completed prior to undertaking casework in the identified forensic discipline in accordance with procedures and quality system requirements
       
Element: Undertake technical review and proficiency testing
  • External and/or internal proficiency tests in the relevant forensic discipline are completed in accordance with procedures and quality system requirements
  • Case work is technically reviewed in accordance with procedures and quality system requirements
       
Element: Provide expert opinion
  • The subject of the evidence provided is within the scope of the individual's recognised field of expertise
  • The area of expertise is recognised in accordance with organisational and quality system requirements
  • The opinion is based on an interpretation of factual evidence through the application of scientific methodology
  • Alternative hypotheses and limitations of evidence are acknowledged
       
Element: Participate in networks of professional/para-professional colleagues
  • Regular contact and information exchange with colleagues in other organisations is made to capture relevant information
  • Participation in relevant professional/para-professional associations is used to maximise awareness of the forensic environment and maintain a professional network
  • Requests for technical assistance/advice from outside colleagues are addressed as required in accordance with organisational demands/guidelines
       
Element: Review and evaluate relevant scientific literature
  • Literature relating to the forensic discipline is studied to build a practical appreciation of scientific principles and methodologies
  • Relevant contemporary professional journals and publications are identified and reviewed on a regular basis to maintain awareness of recent forensic findings and developments
  • Information search techniques are maintained and applied to access forensic information
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Not applicable.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

communication skills (giving evidence, briefing, responding to questions, listening, writing, establishing rapport, negotiation, conflict resolution, presentations)

analytical, decision making and problem solving in responding to the application of specialised forensic discipline knowledge

organisational and time management skills

collecting/recording/collating/ analysing/evaluating/ disseminating information

work effectively with a range of professionals

manage resources and time

research

Required Knowledge

jurisdictional legal parameters for the provision of expert evidence and the admissibility of expert opinion to the courts

organisational policy and procedural context in which expert opinion/evidence is provided

specialist forensic discipline area

limitations and boundaries of specialist knowledge

forensic investigative techniques

quality assurance requirements for discipline specific training, casework and reports of findings

available professional/para-professional support networks

resources to support the development of forensic discipline expertise

the range of analytical techniques appropriate for the specific forensic discipline

the range and strength of conclusions available for the interpretation of results

inductive/deductive reasoning

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Forensic discipline may include

crime scene investigation

firearm investigation

document examination

fingerprints

toolmark examination

fire scene examination

explosion scene examination

and may incorporate sub-disciplines such as:

toolmarks identification

footwear identification

fire scene investigation

presumptive illicit drug identification

poroscopy

ridgeology

trace evidence examination

hair and fibre analysis

motor vehicle identification

firearm identification

Formal/informal discipline training may include

external training course such as a relevant science/applied science degree

diploma or bachelor of forensic investigation programs

attachment to external agencies

short courses

workshops

courses of study provided by relevant discipline associations

internal training such as workshops, courses, mentoring/coaching, research

Internal and/or external competency appraisal may include

Assessment requirements of independent external accreditation board

Assessment requirements of internal accreditation board

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Formal/informal discipline-training requirements are completed with identified training programs 
Internal and/or external competency appraisal is successfully completed prior to undertaking casework in the identified forensic discipline in accordance with procedures and quality system requirements 
External and/or internal proficiency tests in the relevant forensic discipline are completed in accordance with procedures and quality system requirements 
Case work is technically reviewed in accordance with procedures and quality system requirements 
The subject of the evidence provided is within the scope of the individual's recognised field of expertise 
The area of expertise is recognised in accordance with organisational and quality system requirements 
The opinion is based on an interpretation of factual evidence through the application of scientific methodology 
Alternative hypotheses and limitations of evidence are acknowledged 
Regular contact and information exchange with colleagues in other organisations is made to capture relevant information 
Participation in relevant professional/para-professional associations is used to maximise awareness of the forensic environment and maintain a professional network 
Requests for technical assistance/advice from outside colleagues are addressed as required in accordance with organisational demands/guidelines 
Literature relating to the forensic discipline is studied to build a practical appreciation of scientific principles and methodologies 
Relevant contemporary professional journals and publications are identified and reviewed on a regular basis to maintain awareness of recent forensic findings and developments 
Information search techniques are maintained and applied to access forensic information 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAPOLFC009A - Develop and maintain forensic discipline expertise
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

PUAPOLFC009A - Develop and maintain forensic discipline expertise

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: