Application
This unit of competency covers the ability to perform physical examination and testing of samples that may be used as forensic evidence. Competency includes the ability to establish client needs for routine and non-routine forensic samples, select suitable techniques and methods and modify them if required, obtain valid and reliable data, and report test results. Personnel are required to recognise atypical test data/results, troubleshoot common analytical procedure and equipment problems and ensure all testing and reporting meets judicial requirements.
This unit of competency is applicable to technical officers working in all industry sectors and government agencies, such as chemical, food, forensic, medical and environmental laboratories. The term forensic is used to describe tests which may have legal implications, such as testing paint scrapings to verify claims for insurance companies or examining passports for forgery and tampering.
Examination of forensic physical samples is non-routine and may require the development of new or modified methods. The testing requires a high degree of analytical skill and knowledge and practical experience to perform the analysis and interpret the results. Physical forensic samples (i.e. of non-living origin) include fingerprints, tyre marks, footprints, building materials, soil samples, glass particles, paint scrapings, documents and textile fibres.
All operations and analytical methods must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or workplace requirements. Although a supervisor may not always be present, the technical officer will follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) that clearly describe the scope of permitted practice, including varying workplace/test procedures and communicating results to people outside the laboratory.
While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Establish client needs and schedule analysis | 1.1 | Obtain evidential material/samples following accepted chain of custody procedures |
1.2 | Record sample description, compare with specification and record and report discrepancies and evaluate to determine if further samples are required | ||
1.3 | Evaluate samples and select appropriate laboratory procedure from accepted standard forensic techniques and validated scientific methods | ||
1.4 | Identify the possible need to modify workplace techniques or methods, for example, to ensure recovery of sample materials | ||
1.5 | Seek advice from supervisor about any proposed variations and document all approved changes according to the workplace quality system and judicial requirements | ||
1.6 | Schedule analysis using workplace procedures | ||
2 | Prepare samples and standards | 2.1 | Obtain a representative analytical portion of the sample to examine or test |
2.2 | Prepare sample and store remaining sample in accordance with testing requirements | ||
2.3 | Prepare validation checks and/or calibration standards for analytical portions | ||
3 | Perform analysis | 3.1 | Perform laboratory examination in accordance with validated technique or method on standards, validation checks and samples |
3.2 | Conduct sufficient testing to obtain reliable data | ||
3.3 | Perform tests in appropriate timeframes and at appropriate cost | ||
3.4 | Troubleshoot technique or method problems which have led to atypical data or results | ||
4 | Process and analyse data | 4.1 | Confirm data is the result of valid measurements |
4.2 | Perform any required calculations and ensure results are consistent with standards or estimations and expectations | ||
4.3 | Record results with the appropriate accuracy, precision, uncertainty and units | ||
4.4 | Draw conclusions from examination of results according to accepted forensic practices and documented requirements | ||
4.5 | Review laboratory methodology and test results | ||
5 | Maintain a safe work environment | 5.1 | Identify risks, hazards, safety equipment and control measures associated with sample handling, preparation and analytical method |
5.2 | Use personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety procedures specified for test method and materials to be tested | ||
5.3 | Minimise the generation of waste and environmental impacts | ||
5.4 | Ensure the safe disposal of laboratory waste | ||
5.5 | Clean, care for and store equipment and consumables in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
6 | Maintain laboratory records and report results | 6.1 | Enter approved data and results into laboratory information management system (LIMS) according to workplace quality system and judicial requirements |
6.2 | Maintain equipment logs in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
6.3 | Maintain security, integrity and traceability of samples and documentation | ||
6.4 | Prepare reports for presentation of evidence and communicate results to appropriate personnel |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:
safely performing physical examination and testing of forensic samples to produce valid and reliable results on at least three (3) occasions
establishing client needs for routine and non-routine forensic samples
completing chain of custody forms according to judicial and workplace requirements
prioritising the evaluation of items of evidence to ensure sample integrity is maintained
selecting suitable examination techniques and test methods and modifying them if required
sequencing and selecting forensic sample preparation techniques and methods to maximise recovery of sample materials
performing physical examinations and tests in accordance with judicial requirements
applying theoretical knowledge and deductive processes to draw valid conclusions from test results
recognising atypical test data and results
communicating any problems to a supervisor or industry professional using current and appropriate terminology
troubleshooting common analytical procedure and equipment problems
maintaining security, integrity and traceability of forensic samples, evidence, sub-samples, test data, results and documentation
reporting results of forensic examinations and tests in accordance with judicial and workplace protocols
following workplace safety procedures.
Evidence of Knowledge
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:
terminology, concepts and principles related to preparation, physical examination and testing of forensic samples/evidence
physical examination techniques and test methods
legal, regulatory, policy, procedural and quality system requirements for the collection, preservation, security, continuity and disposal of samples and evidence (exhibits), forensic examinations and analyses
potential limitations of own specialist knowledge and when to seek advice from other services
services available to assist laboratory examination and interpretation of physical evidence
peer review processes for examination of test findings
relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements.
Assessment Conditions
Judgment of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSL977003 Contribute to the validation of test methods
MSL975024 Locate, record and collect forensic samples
Holistic assessment methods include:
review of test data produced by the candidate over a period of time to check accuracy, consistency and timeliness of results
review of workplace documentation and reports completed by the candidate
feedback from clients, peers, supervisors and/or industry professionals about the candidate’s ability to conduct physical examination of forensic samples to produce valid and reliable results
observation of candidate examining and physically testing a range of forensic samples and evidence
oral or written questioning of relevant physical examination techniques, test methods, forensic protocols and workplace procedures.
Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:
a standard laboratory with relevant equipment and instruments for the physical examination of forensic samples, laboratory reagents and equipment, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and test methods.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR
relevant workplace experience.
Currency can be demonstrated through:
performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR
having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements | Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of: Australian and international standards covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, laboratory design and construction, physical containment levels and facility types, laboratory safety, and quality and environmental management national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, and national measurement regulations and guidelines Australian and international standards and guidelines covering specialised forensic tests, accuracy of measurement methods and results, expression of uncertainty and quantifying uncertainty specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as the Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) workplace documents, such as judicial protocols; SOPs; quality and equipment manuals; data quality procedures; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; material and product specifications; laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures; cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements; stock records and inventory forensic sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal) physical examination techniques and test procedures (validated and authorised) |
Samples | Samples include, but are not limited to, one or more of: fingerprints firearms and tool marks ammunition ballistics vehicles documents and handwriting |
Physical tests and examination | Physical tests and examinations include, but are not limited to, one or more of: precise measurement of position, orientation and dimensions (e.g. particle size) mass, density and specific gravity (e.g. compaction) thermal tests (e.g. combustion properties) optical tests (e.g. colour matching) acoustic tests (e.g. loudness) electrical tests (e.g. insulation) magnetic tests (e.g. intrinsic induction) |
Validation checks and/or calibration standards | Validation checks and/or calibration standards include, but are not limited to, one or more of: positive and known positive controls negative controls (e.g. substrate blanks) recovery check controls certified reference materials |
Selecting appropriate testing procedures | Selecting appropriate testing procedures includes, but is not limited to, consideration of one or more of: range, reliability and validity of available techniques and methods physical characteristics of the evidence availability of further samples available resources time and cost constraints selection of non-destructive techniques where possible or appropriate minimisation of sample size for destructive techniques sequence of forensic techniques need for possible further analysis by other forensic disciplines |
Reviewing laboratory methodology and test results | Reviewing laboratory methodology and test results includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: assessing the methodology for appropriate application to evidence assessing chain of custody and sample handling to ensure integrity assessing testing procedures for compliance with quality system and judicial requirements evaluating interpretation of test results for validity |
Safety procedures | Safety procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of: ensuring access to service shut-off points recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs labelling of samples and hazardous materials handling and storage of hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer instructions following established manual handling procedures identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using workplace procedures using PPE, such as gloves, safety glasses, coveralls and gowns use of fume hoods, direct extraction of vapours and gases minimising exposure to radiation ionising, such as lasers, electromagnetic and UV radiation reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/wastewater, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates, to appropriate personnel |
WHS and environmental management requirements | WHS and environmental management requirements include: · complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time · applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant |
Sectors
Competency Field
Testing