Application
This unit describes the skills required to assess and control incident/crime scenes, including identifying resource requirements and preliminary scene examination.
This unit applies to those working as police staff involved in forensic examination.
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 work health and safety (WHS).
Those undertaking this unit would work autonomously while remaining responsible for reporting to senior staff. They would demonstrate adaptability across a broad range of contexts while performing a range of complex tasks.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Assess scene | 1.1 Gather information to inform forensic examination. 1.2 Identify items/areas for forensic examination. 1.3 Plan forensic examination to process scene. 1.4 Assess resource requirements to facilitate forensic examination. 1.5 Identify whether contamination has occurred for recording purposes. 1.6 Identify secondary or alternate incident/crime scene for forensic examinations. 1.7 Identify if referral is required in accordance with own role and responsibility. |
2. Control scene | 2.1 Assess incident/scene to identify boundaries and parameters. 2.2 Identify control measures to minimise contamination of evidence. 2.3 Establish entry and exit paths to control scene. 2.4 Communicate with stakeholders to release scene. |
3. Examine scene | 3.1 Identify whether evidence is suitable for collection. 3.2 Prioritise examination of exhibits to maximise evidentiary value. 3.3 Identify risks to examination to develop risk mitigation strategies. 3.4 Review forensic examination to identify if further actions are required. 3.5 Record information on jurisdictional information management systems. |
Evidence of Performance
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.
analysing information to inform scene management plan
identifying scene parameters and contamination
referring scene control when own role and responsibility is exceeded
implementing control measures to preserve scene and evidence
communicating with stakeholders
identifying risks and implementing risk mitigation strategies
prioritising examination of exhibits to maximise evidentiary value
evaluating scene management strategies and actions taken
recording information on jurisdictional information management systems
Evidence of Knowledge
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 legislation, policies and procedures relating to forensic examination, scene management, quality systems and workplace health and safety
application and potential limitations of forensic examination techniques
role and responsibility of other forensic disciplines for the examination of scenes
judicial and evidentiary requirements for the collection and preservation of exhibits
scene management and preservation techniques and processes
authorisations for examining scenes
Assessment Conditions
This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
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.
Competency Field
Forensics