Application
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. |
Prerequisites
Not Applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1Prepare for interview. | 1.1 Client and legislative requirements relevant to briefing and debriefing procedures and processes are identified and complied with. 1.2 Assignment instructions and background material is obtained, reviewed and clarified as required with relevant persons. 1.3 Resource requirements are confirmed and organised in accordance with investigative objectives. 1.4 Interview location is accessible and non-threatening and encourages safety, confidentiality and confidence. 1.5 Recording equipment is checked for correct operation in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. 1.6 Arrangements are made as required for a witness to be present at interview to ensure information is not compromised in accordance with legislative requirements. |
2Conduct interview. | 2.1 Interview is conducted using effective communication skills, interpersonal techniques and sensitivity to individual social and cultural differences. 2.2 Appropriate protocols and procedures are used in accordance with legislative requirements. 2.2 Interview plan and strategies are followed and adjusted and contingencies implemented to address changing circumstances. 2.4 Appropriate equipment and recording methods are used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. 2.5 Contradictions, ambiguity, uncertainty or misunderstandings are identified and clarified during the interview. 2.7 Physical evidence presented during interview is described in full in accordance with legislative requirements. |
3Take statements. | 3.1 Format and procedures for taking statements are observed and complied with. 3.2 Statements are taken in the first person and accurately reflect the interviewee's knowledge of the interview subject matter. 3.3 Statement includes written affirmation from interviewee as to their understanding of its contents and the conditions under which it was made. 3.4 Statement is signed and dated by interviewee and witnessed by interviewer or sworn in front of a duly authorised person in accordance with legislative requirements. |
4Complete interview. | 4.1 Interview is terminated in a sincere, courteous and friendly manner. 4.2 Copy of records of interview are provided to interviewee and receipted in accordance with legislative requirements. 4.3 Notes made during interview and other relevant information are retained and secured with due regard to confidentiality and principles of evidence management. 4.4 Post-interview procedures are conducted as required and records updated. 4.5 Interview results are reviewed, reported and securely maintained in accordance with legislative requirements. |
Required Skills
This section describes the skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit. |
Required skills |
accurately record, report and document information and evidence communicate using appropriate channels and communication modes disseminate information with due regard to confidentiality issues elicit accurate information from interviewee evaluate diverse pieces of information and promptly clarify misunderstandings, ambiguity or contradictions identify and comply with applicable legal and procedural requirements, including licensing requirements, relevant to conduct of interviews and evidence collection information technology organise and operate recording and other equipment plan and conduct meetings and interviews prepare and compile statements in required formats prioritise work tasks and complete activities within designated timeframes relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities risk assessment use information storage and retrieval systems verify information for accuracy and relevance. |
Required knowledge |
applicable licensing and legal requirements for conducting interviews and taking statements continuity of evidence effective interpersonal techniques information management systems and methods interview strategies and techniques interviewing, reviewing and debriefing processes post-interview procedures principles of continuity of evidence principles of effective communication including interpersonal techniques procedures for the security and storage of information procedures for the use of interpreters recording methods and use of recording equipment reliable and verifiable sources of information reporting and documentation requirements requirements for duly authorised persons to swear statements rights of individuals in relation to the conduct of interviews and statement compilation techniques for negotiation, conflict resolution and problem solving. |
Evidence Required
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: effectively planning the sequence of key questions for eliciting relevant information and arranging appropriate resources, equipment and location for the conduct of interviews conducting interviews and meetings using appropriate interpersonal techniques and taking accurate and complete contemporaneous notes and statements collecting information in an accurate and systematic manner and handling all information in a safe and secure manner with due regard to confidentiality requirements and principles of evidence management. | |
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. |
Range Statement
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 requirementsmay relate to: | applicable commonwealth, state and territory legislation which affects investigative work such as: Insurance Contracts Act 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 purpose and objective assignment tasks and procedures assignment timeframe client information methods of interview reporting and documentation requirements resource and equipment allocations. |
Background materialmay include: | client instructions file notes records of previous interviews reports results of preliminary inquiries. |
Relevant personsmay include: | client counsellor industry or government representatives investigative specialist medical staff police security personnel supervisor. |
Business equipment and technology may include: | calculators facsimile machines standard commercial computer software and hardware telephones. |
Resources may include: | calculators facilities finance information information technology interpreter personnel specialist services and support time transport. |
Manufacturer's instructionsmay be found in: | equipment specifications operator's manual plans and diagrams printed instruction leaflets warranty documents. |
Communication skillsmay include: | accepting and listening to responses active listening comprehension displaying objectivity and impartiality frank and fair questioning negotiation note-taking positive body language 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. |
Interview planmay include: | interview schedules key questions list of interview participants presentation of physical evidence sequence of activities. |
Interview strategiesmay include consideration of: | avoiding cross-examinations excluding leading questions excluding multiple questions interview method (direct questioning, empathetic questions) interviewee status (disability, age, gender, ethnicity, race) location and timing strategies for developing rapport. |
Contingenciesmay include: | age of interviewee (eg, minor) allegations of misconduct change in demeanour of interviewee disclosed information equipment failure inadequate language skills physical or psychological disabilities refusal to answer questions suspect request. |
Protocols and proceduresmay include: | confidentiality assurances informing interviewee of - their rights - the purpose of the interview - the sequence of activities - how the interview will be recorded introductions verification of identification. |
Format requirementsmay include: | established style and structure handwritten or typed question and answer record of interview (written, typed, audio, video). |
Statementsmay include: | affidavits records of interview statutory declarations witness record. |
Proceduresfor taking statementsmay include: | clear and concise reporting detailing in writing all statements made by interviewee summarising of relevant points taking contemporaneous notes. |
Duly authorised personmay be: | justice of the peace magistrate solicitor. |
Sectors
Unit sector | Security |
Competency Field
Investigative services |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor