This unit describes the competencies required to conduct initial investigations, including managing incident scenes, gathering and assessing information and evidence, managing exhibits, interviewing participants, conducting searches and processing persons of interest.

This unit applies to those working in a policing environment, typically in a general duties role.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the current 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 preservation of evidence, collecting of information, handling of exhibits and lawful searches.

Those undertaking this unit would primarily work independently or under limited supervision, while performing specific tasks in a broad range of contexts. They would be required to apply decision making and problem-solving skills to interpret behaviours and develop solutions.

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

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Manage incident scene

1.1

Assess situation to determine whether an investigation is required

1.2

Secure scene and evidence to facilitate investigation

1.3

Communicate resource requirements to internal and external stakeholders

1.4

Identify potential witnesses and persons of interest to support the investigation

1.5

Identify details of the scene for recording purposes

2

Gather information and evidence

2.1

Identify information that may be relevant to the investigation

2.2

Collect information in an ethical and professional manner

2.3

Collect potential evidence for recording and investigation purposes

3

Assess information and evidence

3.1

Determine relevance of information to investigation

3.2

Evaluate information and evidence to determine whether an offence has been committed

4

Manage exhibits

4.1

Handle exhibits to minimise contamination and maintain integrity

4.2

Adhere to continuity of evidence principles to preserve the evidentiary value of exhibits

4.3

Assess exhibits to determine whether further forensic analysis is required

4.4

Use evidentiary recording and collection equipment to manage and store exhibits

5

Interview victims and witnesses

5.1

Develop an initial interview plan to obtain information and support investigation

5.2

Assess welfare of victims/witness for referral purposes

5.3

Take statements from victims/witness

5.4

Review statements with victims/witness to ensure details and chronology have been accurately recorded

5.5

Assess statements to identify potential avenues of further inquiry within the investigation

6

Conduct an interviewwith persons of interest

6.1

Manage interview process in accordance with custody requirements

6.2

Plan interview in accordance with investigative requirements

6.3

Explain the interview process to person of interest to provide a caution and an understanding of legal rights

6.4

Use investigative interviewing techniques to identify and collect relevant information

6.5

Assess further options for judicial processes, taking into account the nature of the offence and evidence collected

7

Complete searches

7.1

Assess risk to protect safety of self, colleagues and public

7.2

Plan search according to legislative requirements and resource constraints

7.3

Conduct search of person, vehicle or place in a safe and lawful manner

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the POL Police Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Not applicable.

General