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

PUAPOLIV009A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage physical evidence

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PUAPOLIV009A - Manage physical evidence
Description This unit covers the competency required to manage physical evidence within an investigation process.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application The correct management of physical evidence is a critical skill for investigators. This unit addresses the knowledge and skills required to detect, seize and effectively handle physical evidence in a compliance context. It requires the identification and preservation of physical evidence including dealing with associated hazards, and the recording, collecting, labelling and appropriate storage of evidence in a way that maintains its continuity and integrity. It also requires recording evidence movements and the return, disposal or retention of evidence in accordance with organisational requirements.This unit is not intended to cover the recording and collection of physical evidence by forensic specialists, which is covered by PUAPOLFC003B Detect, record and collect physical evidence.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
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: Detect physical evidence
  • Physical evidence relevant to the investigation is identified using appropriate investigative methods
  • Action is taken to preserve physical evidence in its original state and to prevent contamination
  • Hazards associated with physical evidence are dealt with in accordance with occupational health and safety (OH&S) and organisational guidelines
       
Element: Seize physical evidence
  • Identified physical evidence is recorded in accordance with organisational guidelines and requirements
  • Legislative requirements are complied with when physical evidence is seized
  • Identified physical evidence is labelled and packaged/secured to ensure continuity and integrity
       
Element: Control physical evidence
  • Physical evidence is stored in accordance with organisational guidelines to maintain continuity and prevent degradation and contamination
  • Movement of physical evidence for investigative purposes is recorded in accordance with legislative and organisational guidelines
  • Return, disposal or retention of physical evidence is facilitated in accordance with organisational requirements
       


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.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

gather and manage evidence in a range of contexts or occasions (at least two) over time.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the outcome and apply the competence in different situations or environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or an environment that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when gathering and managing evidence, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine.

Specific resources for assessment

There are no specific resource requirements for this unit.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed with the following unit/s:

PUAPOLGD009A Manage involvement in the judicial process

PUAPOLIV002A Conduct police investigations.

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions.

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

apply public sector standards and legislation such as OH&S and environment in the context of gathering and managing evidence

communicate with people from diverse backgrounds

liaise and negotiate

make comparisons and exercise judgement about facts in written materials

organise evidence

respond appropriately to diversity, including gender and disability

solve problems

write reports using formal structures and language

Required Knowledge

document management systems

equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles

evidence legislation relevant to the jurisdiction

exhibit management principles

legislation which contains the offence/s under investigation

organisational policies, guidelines and regulations (such as relevant legislation; operational, corporate and strategic plans; operational performance standards; operational policies and procedures; organisational personnel and occupational health and safety practices and guidelines; organisational quality standards; organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability)

public sector legislation such as OH&S and environment relating to gathering and managing evidence

rules of evidence relevant to the jurisdiction

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.

Physical evidence may include:

Documents and/or information received/requested from other organisations (enforcement or other)

Electronic or digital data/images

Individual items of evidence that could be presented to a court

Items located during a search or search warrant

New evidence which results in reopening an investigation

Photographic or video

Physical exhibits located at the scene of a crime or incident

Real, oral, computer data or documentary

Records (electronic, digital or written) of the seizure or recovery of exhibits or other items

Relevant documentary and/or physical materials gained as a result of investigations

Requirements identified in an evidence guide or evidence matrix

Investigative methods may include:

General (examination of scene or incident, public inquiries, human sources/witness inquiries, internal or external agencies, searches and search warrants)

Specialised (technical skills, covert policing, surveillance, forensic examination or analysis, document analysis, electronic data examination and retrieval)

Hazards associated with physical evidence may include:

Consideration with respect to handling, collection and/or storage

Factors at the scene or incident that could impact on the safety of investigators, security or preservation of the scene, and the security and preservation of evidence

Physical nature of any specific item of evidence

Organisational guidelines and requirements may include:

Ethical and conduct standards

Jurisdictional procedures manuals

Judicial standards which must be followed in evidence collection to ensure the continuity of possession and admissibility of the evidence

Relevant commonwealth/state/territory legislation and guidelines

Recording identified physical evidence may include:

Audio or video recording

Digital imaging

Notes

Photographs

Sketches

Use of other appropriate emerging technologies

Seizing physical evidence may include:

Acquisition through legislative or common law powers

Voluntary submission

Labelling physical evidence may include:

Date

Details of person/s giving the evidence

Location

Person/s collecting the evidence

Time

Packaging/securing physical evidence may include:

Guarding a scene or exhibit

Placing in an appropriate receptacle

Sealing

Taping

Storing physical evidence may include:

Completing relevant documentation, including forms and registers

Holding evidence in a place appropriate to its nature (such as size, consistency, need for refrigeration)

Treating evidence in a way to minimise contamination or degradation

Investigative purposes may include:

Disposal

Identification purposes

Presentation in court proceedings

Referral during interview

Testing/analysis

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
Physical evidence relevant to the investigation is identified using appropriate investigative methods 
Action is taken to preserve physical evidence in its original state and to prevent contamination 
Hazards associated with physical evidence are dealt with in accordance with occupational health and safety (OH&S) and organisational guidelines 
Identified physical evidence is recorded in accordance with organisational guidelines and requirements 
Legislative requirements are complied with when physical evidence is seized 
Identified physical evidence is labelled and packaged/secured to ensure continuity and integrity 
Physical evidence is stored in accordance with organisational guidelines to maintain continuity and prevent degradation and contamination 
Movement of physical evidence for investigative purposes is recorded in accordance with legislative and organisational guidelines 
Return, disposal or retention of physical evidence is facilitated in accordance with organisational requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAPOLIV009A - Manage physical evidence
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

PUAPOLIV009A - Manage physical evidence

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: