This unit of competency has application in a range of work roles in investigative services. Work is performed under limited supervision and competency requires some judgement and decision-making. The knowledge and skills described in this unit are to be applied within relevant legislative guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare for investigative activities.

1.1 Client and legislative requirements relevant to conducting and investigation and related information are identified and complied with.

1.2 Assignment instructions are obtained, reviewed and clarified as required with relevant persons.

1.3 Resource and equipment requirements including technical specialists are confirmed and organised.

1.5 Information sources and systems are reliable and used in accordance with assignment objectives.

1.6 A plan detailing key activities and their sequence is developed taking into consideration all known factors, client instructions and legal requirements.

1.7 Research and preliminary inquiries are carried out to gather information and evidence in accordance with legislative requirements.

2Gather information.

2.1 Methods used for collecting information are valid and reliable and make efficient use of resources.

2.2 Interviews and meetings are conducted using effective communication skills and interpersonal techniques and demonstrating sensitivity to individual social and cultural differences.

2.3 Comprehensive statements are taken and physical evidence collected to support available facts in accordance with legislative requirements.

2.4 Information is assessed for relevance and accuracy and additional information sought as required from identified sources.

2.5 Gathered information is prioritised and organised in a logical manner with regard to continuity of evidence.

3Report information.

3.1 Report is prepared presenting all relevant facts and observations in appropriate format.

3.2 Content is evaluated in terms of validity, reliability and relevance in consultation with relevant persons.

3.3 Client satisfaction with service delivery is reviewed using verifiable data and feedback and recommendations for improvement to service identified.

3.4 All investigative information and records are securely maintained with due regard to confidentiality.

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

Required skills

accurately record, report and document information and evidence

analysis

communicate using appropriate channels and communication modes

diagramming

identify and comply with applicable legal and procedural requirements, including licensing requirements, relevant to investigative activities

illustration

image compilation

information technology

interpret and follow instructions and procedures

literacy skills to understand and communicate information (reading, writing, speaking, numeracy and listening)

organise equipment and resource requirements

plan and conduct meetings and interviews

problem solving and negotiation

questioning to check understanding

reconstruction of facts

relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities

research

risk assessment.

Required knowledge

applicable licensing and legal requirements relevant to investigative activities

basic investigation techniques

communication channels and modes

evidence management principles

factual information gathering techniques

how to safeguard confidential information

how to use business equipment to present information which may be used as evidence

information management systems and methods

interviewing, reviewing and debriefing processes

legislative requirements applicable to the conduct and reporting of investigations

legislative restrictions on the use of recording devices

principles of effective communication including interpersonal techniques

reliable and verifiable sources of information

reliable sources and methods for collecting information

reporting and documentation requirements

requirements for continuity of evidence.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

using reliable sources and methods to gather information that is factual, lawful and relevant to the investigation in compliance with legislative and client requirements

conducting interviews and meetings using appropriate interpersonal techniques and communication skills, and taking accurate and complete contemporaneous notes and statements

evaluating and presenting gathered information in an appropriate format within designated timeframes

collecting, storing and maintaining evidence in accordance with evidence management principles.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment includes:

a setting in the workplace or environment that simulates the conditions of performance described in the elements, performance criteria and range statement.

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures

access to a registered provider of assessment services

access to a suitable venue and equipment

assessment instruments including personal planner and assessment record book

work schedules, organisational policies and duty statements.

Reasonable adjustments must be made to assessment processes where required for people with disabilities. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed using the following methods of assessment:

observation of processes and procedures

questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the competency being assessed. In all cases where practical assessment is used, it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Oral questioning or written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a choice between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

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.

Legislative requirements may relate to:

applicable commonwealth, state and territory legislation which affects investigative work such as:

workplace safety

environmental issues

equal employment opportunity

industrial relations

anti-discrimination and diversity

Australian standards and quality assurance

authority to conduct investigation

award and enterprise agreements

evidence collection

freedom of information

licensing arrangements and certification requirements

privacy requirements

relevant industry codes of practice

restrictions in the use of recording devices.

Assignment instructions may include:

assignment tasks and procedures

assignment timeframe

client information

investigation purpose and objective

methods of investigation

reporting and documentation requirements

resource and equipment allocations.

Relevant personsmay include:

client

industry or government representatives

police

security personnel

supervisor or manager

technical specialist.

Resources and equipment

35mm and video cameras

compass

lap-top computer

mobile phones, pagers

personnel

scales

scanners (audio, document, computer)

tape measures

transport

voice recorder, transcript recorder

writing instruments.

Technical specialistsmay be:

accountants

engineers

forensic experts

information technology experts

photographers

solicitors, lawyers

specialist investigators

undercover operatives.

Information sources

colleagues, supervisor, management

government departments or agencies

industry networks

industry specialists

internet and other electronic sources

interviews and meetings

library

newspapers and other print media

photographs

plans, map and schematic drawings

police

professional bodies

records, reports, case notes.

Information systemsmay depend on:

importance of information

reliability of information

sensitivity of information

source or origin of information

where information is to be disseminated.

Evidencemay be:

circumstantial

direct

documentary

hearsay

opinion

physical.

Methodsfor collecting informationmay include:

electronic

meetings and interviews

photograph and filmed evidence

pretext inquiries

questioning

researching public records

taking statements

testing of rumour

undercover operations

use of informants.

Communication skillsmay include:

active listening

comprehension

negotiation

note-taking

positive body language

questioning

reading accurately

speaking clearly

summarising

writing.

Interpersonal techniquesmay include:

active listening

being respectful and non-discriminatory to others

control of tone of voice and body language

demonstrating flexibility and willingness to negotiate

interpreting non-verbal and verbal messages

maintaining professionalism

providing and receiving constructive feedback

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

two-way communication

use of communication appropriate to cultural differences

use of positive, confident and cooperative language.

Social and cultural differencesmay relate to:

dress and personal presentation

food

language

religion

social conventions

traditional practices

values and beliefs.

Available factsmay relate to:

accident reports

claims

employer accident records

machinery reports

medical reports

personal records

personnel records

policies

travel documents.

Formatmay relate to:

accuracy

common industry terminology

enclosures and attachments

length

sequence of coverage

style

use of abbreviations

use of appendices

use of plain English.

Unit sector

Security

Investigative services

This unit contains employability skills.