This unit describes the skills required to apply specialised forensic techniques within crime scene investigations. This includes identifying, enhancing, recording and analysing evidence.

This unit applies to specialist police staff as part of the forensic investigation of crime or incident scenes.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to continuity of evidence, forensic information management, work health and safety (WHS) and quality management.

Those undertaking this unit would be required to work autonomously and as part of a team. They would demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and evaluate crime scene related evidence to develop and test hypotheses. They would demonstrate knowledge of sciences as they apply to crime scene investigation. They would perform sophisticated tasks requiring strong adaptability across a broad range of unpredictable contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

assessing characteristics of biological and non-biological evidence

identifying and applying advanced forensic techniques to examine evidence

determining sequence of examinations

identifying and applying enhancement techniques

performing comparative analyses through the application of advanced forensic techniques

recording information

applying scientific methodology to support forensic analyses, logical thinking and problem solving within a crime/incident scene investigation

demonstrating forensic photographic techniques to record results, including exposure, lighting, viewpoints and composition

recording results in complex photographic situations, including macro, highly reflective or curved surfaces, low contrast and large scale low light circumstances, and multi-colour/multi contrast instances

managing continuity of evidence

using specialised forensic technology and equipment

identifying, enhancing, recording, collecting and analysing evidence using various techniques

gathering and collating information

interpreting and evaluating information and opinions to inform the investigation

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

jurisdictional coronial and criminal legislation related to forensic investigation

jurisdictional information management systems

jurisdictional policies and procedures related to forensic investigations, including quality management systems, occupational/workplace health and safety, forensic photography and expert evidence

fundamental principles of physics and how they are applied within a forensic environment (including mechanics and motion, forces, trajectory, electricity)

fundamental principles of mathematics and how they are applied/calculated within a forensic environment (including trigonometry, triangulation)

fundamental principles of chemistry (including behaviour of acids and bases, catalytic reactions)

fundamental principles of biology (including molecular biology, cell structure function and replication, serology)

human anatomy and physiology (including terminology, structural organisation, body systems, death processes and indicators)

scientific methodology

five stages of Disaster Victim Identification

principles and definitions of comparative analysis (including pattern recognition, class and individual characteristics)

advanced forensic techniques (including optical, physical and chemical enhancement)

supporting scientific principles and operating principles of specialised forensic techniques

limitations and sensitivity of presumptive/confirmatory tests

illumination techniques (including visible, polarising, bright and dark field techniques)

post-mortem medical process and procedures

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.

This unit has been identified by industry as suitable for holistic assessment. Refer to advice in the Assessment Guide.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.

Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.

Forensics