Application
This unit describes the skills required to manage incident scenes to secure evidence for investigations, including conducting initial assessments, controlling scenes, coordinating investigations of scenes and managing physical evidence. Terminology used differs between jurisdictions; incident scenes may also be referred to as crime scenes.
This unit applies to those working as police officers, generally in a designated investigation role, who are required to assess, control and coordinate 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 work health and safety (WHS), investigation procedures and evidence management.
Those undertaking this unit would demonstrate strong autonomy, making independent decisions and accessing support from a broad range of services. The individual would be required to possess supervision and management skills, leadership abilities and robust communicative competence. The individual would work on complex 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.
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 incident scenes | 1.1 Identify scenes for investigation purposes. 1.2 Evaluate scenes to determine actions required for preservation of life, property and evidence. 1.3 Define scenes to determine investigative approach and establish resource requirements. 1.4 Identify risks affecting scenes to address safety concerns and preservation of evidence. |
2. Control incident scenes | 2.1 Secure boundaries of scenes to prevent contamination of prospective evidence/exhibits. 2.2 Manage risks affecting scenes to preserve safety of self, colleagues and public. 2.3 Control suspects to facilitate further investigation. 2.4 Control persons at scenes to safeguard their welfare and prevent contamination of scenes. 2.5 Coordinate stakeholders to manage scenes. 2.6 Record activities at scenes to support investigation. 2.7 Preserve potential evidence/exhibits to prevent contamination. |
3. Coordinate incident scene investigations | 3.1 Formulate informal/formal plans to select methods and resources for processing scenes. 3.2 Communicate with stakeholders to contain scenes and identify roles and responsibilities. 3.3 Coordinate stakeholders to process and rehabilitate incident scenes. 3.4 Identify persons relevant to scenes and initial investigation. 3.5 Interview identified persons to determine possible avenues of inquiry and offences/defences. 3.6 Assess information collected to initiate investigative action. 3.7 Conduct briefings in accordance with jurisdictional reporting processes. 3.8 Refer persons to relevant support agencies for welfare purposes. |
4. Manage physical evidence | 4.1 Identify evidence/exhibits at scenes using investigative methods. 4.2 Process evidence/exhibits to maintain continuity and integrity. 4.3 Record identified physical evidence for investigative purposes. 4.4 Seize and secure identified physical evidence to ensure continuity and integrity. 4.5 Address hazards associated with physical evidence. 4.6 Examine physical evidence to collect information and identify further investigation requirements. 4.7 Record handling of physical evidence. |
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.
defining and securing incident scenes, both primary and secondary
preserving life, property and evidence at incident scene through the identification of risk factors
controlling persons and suspects at incident, including searching, separating and securing them
communicating with and managing witnesses and victims
coordinating stakeholders to manage, process and rehabilitate incident scene
identifying specialist support services required at incident scene
managing information for planning, recording and reporting purposes
applying investigative techniques to collect information and evidence, including investigative interviewing
handling exhibits and preserving continuity of evidence
examining physical evidence, with consideration of work health and safety
referring relevant persons to external services for support and welfare purposes
coordinating the return, disposal and storage of physical evidence
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.
organisational and policy context in which incident scenes are managed and investigated
judicial and evidentiary requirements
jurisdictional processes for the collection, preservation and continuity of exhibits
investigation techniques
capabilities, powers and authorities of services external to policing
risk factors associated with incident scenes, both tactical and environmental
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.
Consideration must be given to holistic assessment for this unit. Refer to advice in the companion volumes.
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
Investigation