- PUAFIR501B - Conduct fire investigation and analysis activities
PUAFIR501B
Conduct fire investigation and analysis activities
Application
The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package. This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible. | |
Prerequisites
Prerequisite Unit/s | PUALAW001B Protect and preserve incident scene |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan fire/incident investigation and analysis activities | 1.1 The roles and responsibilities of the government and non-government organisations involved in fire/incident investigation are identified 1.2 Procedures and protocols for the cooperation and coordination of relevant organisations involved in the fire/incident investigation are identified, agreed and implemented 1.3 Strategies required to conduct a fire/incident investigation and analysis are identified and implemented in accordance with the organisation's procedures 1.4 Preliminary and background information concerning the context of the fire/incident investigation is prepared 1.5 The relevant legislative requirements that impact on the collection and recording of evidence are identified 1.6 Evidence and information gathering process at the incident site is planned in accordance with organisation and legislative requirements, environmental conditions and resource availability 1.7 Required fire investigation equipment and resources for the incident are identified and assembled |
2. Collect, collate and preserve evidence | 2.1 The methods and techniques of evidence and information collection appropriate to the investigation are applied in accordance with legislative requirements 2.2 The various types of evidence and information pertinent to the investigation are recorded and/or collected in accordance with organisational and legislative procedures 2.3 The procedures for continuity and preservation of evidence are followed in accordance with legislative requirements 2.4 Appropriate packaging and identification techniques for the transportation of evidence for the purpose of laboratory testing are implemented |
3. Determine cause and origin of fire | 3.1 The procedures required to determine the origin and cause of fire are followed 3.2 Assistance is rendered to laboratory personnel and specialist organisations in accordance with organisational procedures 3.3 Physical evidence that can lead to the determination of the origin and cause of fire is identified and examined 3.4 Preliminary findings are documented and validated in accordance with organisational procedures 3.5 The cause and origin of fire is determined 3.6 Findings, methodologies, support data and briefing notes are documented in accordance with organisational and legislative procedures |
4. Conduct analysis of incident | 4.1 Information relating to incident is gathered in accordance with the organisation's policies and procedures 4.2 Information relating to incident is evaluated in accordance with the organisation's procedures |
5. Record and report information collected | 5.1 Relevant organisation/legislative requirements for the recording, reporting and producing of information for a fire/incident investigation are implemented |
6. Prepare personnel for proceedings | 6.1 Briefings are held with counsel as required 6.2 Other personnel involved in the proceedings are briefed 6.3 Additional information and/or clarification of fire/incident investigation procedures/findings are provided as required 6.4 Protocols for giving of evidence at a coronial/civil/criminal proceeding are followed |
7. Review and evaluate fire/incident investigation | 7.1 Outcomes of proceedings are reviewed to ensure knowledge of investigations, trends and precedents is current 7.2 Changes to an organisation's policy and procedures arising from rulings and decisions are formulated and reported 7.3 Post incident analysis documentation is completed in accordance with the organisation's requirements 7.4 Fire/incident cause determination/documentation/ recommendations are forwarded according to the organisation's procedures |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
communication handling of dangerous goods and hazardous substances cooperation with community groups evidence packaging techniques demonstrated evidence gathering techniques conducting briefings cooperating with other organisations and community groups |
Required Knowledge |
factors affecting fire behaviour security of the scene/scene contamination and preservation examination of the fire scene determining point of origin by deductive evidence collection of physical evidence distinguishing between fires that are accidentally, negligently and deliberately or naturally lit matching evidence to proof of point and offence provisions differences between fire conditions fatality and criminal involvement procedures role of expert witnesses motives of the fire setter legal implications of evidence collection and legislative requirements |
Evidence Required
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | It is essential for this unit that competence is demonstrated in: securing the scene and preserving the evidence determining the point of origin and cause of fire distinguishing between fires that are caused deliberately or accidentally, negligently and naturally lit collecting evidence in accordance with legislative requirements Consistency in performance Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Context of assessment On the job or use of simulations or exercises to demonstrate competence in the unit. Verbal or written questions may be used to support the gathering of evidence Specific resources for assessment Required fire investigation equipment and resources real or simulated test fire sites (forest/rural) training building with appropriate fire investigation training rooms, fire crews and pumpers, thermal detection equipment, appropriate protective equipment, classrooms equipped with computers and appropriate training aids, text and reference materials, and appropriate role play scripts for the appropriate personnel (police, barristers, solicitors, forensic scientist, insurance adjustors and investigators) |
Guidance information for assessment | Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package. |
Range Statement
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. | |
Evidence must include | video tapes, audio tapes, drawings, photographs, plans, manifests, documents, personal notes, physical evidence, debris, soil |
Investigative procedures must include | canvass witnesses, conduct examinations, advise and cooperate with other agencies, take notes and photographs, make sketches and maps, collect and secure physical evidence, collect, collate and analyse information, conduct interview, prepare reports, produce information |
Evidence preservation must include | chain of evidence recording, tagging secure encasements, log of events |
Packaging of evidence may include | non-lined tins, non-leaching bags, glass receptacles, gas sampling equipment, rigid and non-rigid receptacles |
Causes of fire may include | electrical origin, gas explosion, gas, accidental or deliberate nature, motor vehicles, flammable liquids, chemical, mechanical defect, lightning, environmental or natural occurrences, matches and lighters, smoking, spontaneous combustion |
Liaison with specialist personnel may include | laboratory technicians, forensic specialist, insurance investigators, medical examiners, lawyers, crime scene police, arson squad, other relevant authorities |
Protocols for giving evidence must may include | court procedures, court practices, pre-court briefings, rules of evidence |
Review of information may include | incidence mapping, databases, journals, correspondence, Internet, inter-organisation activities, intra-organisation activities |
Post investigation documentation may include | statements, proformas, photographs, tape recordings |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.