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.

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Conduct initial assessment of scene

1.1 Scene is assessed with regard to occupational health and safety and all actions are undertaken in line with organisation's policies, procedures, guidelines and duty of care requirements

1.2 Communication is established with the senior investigating officer and liaison is maintained throughout the investigation

1.3 Circumstances surrounding the scene are ascertained from visual assessment and reports from other personnel

1.4 Scene boundary is defined/redefined as required to preserve physical evidence for collection

1.5 Obvious and accessible physical evidence is located and, where appropriate, protected from possible contamination

2. Control integrity of scene

2.1 Appropriate arrangements for scene access and egress are established and maintained

2.2 All non-essential persons are removed from the scene and relevant details are recorded accurately and legibly in accordance with organisation and regulatory procedures

2.3 Additional resources are identified and accessed to secure incident scene

2.4 The personal and health and safety needs of those involved in the incident are attended to

3. Examine scene

3.1 An appropriate search pattern is instigated in accordance with instructions from senior investigating officer to ensure all evidence is located and preserved

3.2 Details of the scene are recorded comprehensively and accurately in line with organisation's operating procedures

3.3 Evidence is located, collected, packaged, labelled and stored to ensure preservation for further post-scene examination

3.4 An accurate log of all evidence is maintained

3.5 Scenes are correctly assessed for future investigative requirements and appropriate persons notified

4. Identify potential witnesses and initial statements recorded

4.1 Bystanders are canvassed to identify potential witnesses

4.2 Details of potential witnesses are recorded

4.3 Appropriate recording practices are used that are in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements and organisation's policies and procedures

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

accurate written recording and compilation of interviews and statements

attention to detail

implementing methodical and systematic approach

listening to bystanders

putting bystanders at ease

questioning bystanders

use of recording and specialised evidence collection equipment

working with a variety of professionals

Required Knowledge

anti discrimination public safety

appropriate use of interpreting services

collection and recording of various types of evidence ranging from large objects to minute traces

details of scene

equal employment opportunity

features and use of a variety of specialised equipment to search

functions and roles of other professionals and experts

incident scene protection and preservation

indicators of emotional distress

indicators of need for specialised investigations

legislative requirements relating to occupational health and safety

policies and procedures relating to occupational health and safety

policies and procedures relating to recording details of persons

public safety and duty of care at accident/incident scene

recognition

record and collect evidence

shock

taking and compiling statements

taking of statements

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Correct application of legislative requirements and organisation policies and procedures in all situations

Consistency in performance

Evidence will need to be gathered over time in a range of actual and/or simulated environment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

A real life incident, exercise or simulation, or series of tasks are required to demonstrate competence in this unit. This may involve setting scenarios to be completed either individually or as a member of a team

Specific resources for assessment

No special requirements

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.

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.

Initial investigation

those enquiries conducted by the first public safety official on scene

Incident scene may include

structural fire

wild fire

vehicle fire

crime scene

vehicle accident

natural disaster

industrial/mining accidents and incidents

accident/incident involving death or injury to person or damage to property

Incident scene may be

indoor or outdoor

in a rural or urban environment

Incident scene may be affected by

prevailing weather and require additional resources to preserve and protect incident scene

Security of an incident scene may be affected by

topography

climatic conditions

human interference

animal interference

preservation of life/property

Public safety risk factors include

those factors at the incident scene that could impact on: the safety of investigators; the security/preservation of the actual site

the security and preservation of situational evidence

Investigating incident scenes may include

dangerous or distasteful conditions and may involve handling injured or deceased persons

Circumstances surrounding scene may include

sequence of events

possible causes

people involved

property involved

victims

suspects

witnesses

damage

injury

organisation personnel involved

other agencies involved

current status of investigation

action taken to date

Tactical factors may include

environmental circumstances

chronology of events

access to scene

number of persons at scene

availability of support services

boundaries

Persons at incident scene may include

Incident scene specialists and forensic experts; witnesses

victims

other bystanders; police and emergency services; media; coroners

pathologists

medical practitioners

undertakers; forensic accountants

information technology consultants and legal officers

Activities at incident scenes may be recorded by

running sheets

exhibit logs

receipts and personnel movement

video photography

Physical evidence may include

shoe impressions

tyre prints

skid marks

fingerprints

containers

fibres

flammable and combustible liquids

tool marks

bloodstains

identifying numbers

bodily fluids

burn patterns

Methods of collection may include

vacuuming

tape lifts

shovelling

photographing

casing

Methods of packaging may include

metal containers

plastic bags

paper bags

glass vials

Additional resources may include

organisation personnel

other organisation personnel

expert personnel

audio visual services

emergency lighting

forensic personnel

Relevant details from persons may include

name

contact details

other details in accordance with standard operating procedures

Liaison with investigating officer may include

professional and technical advice

identification of avenues of inquiry

significance of located evidence

Arrangements for scene access and egress

clear brief as to who has control of access

physical barriers may also be required

roster guards

limit entry to essential personnel

delegation of authority to control entry

record all persons who enter or depart the scene and reasons

Arrangements to protect integrity of evidence

roster scene guards

cover evidence

may require removal of evidence to ensure its protection

Details of scene

time

date

location

damage to property

injury to persons

personnel present

physical details of scene

evidence

This unit contains employability skills.