PUAPOL024B
Conduct investigations

This unit covers the competency to apply investigation processes in accordance with jurisdictional law, policy and procedures.

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

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance Criteria

1

Maintain and evaluate operational direction

1.1

The investigation is conducted in accordance with the investigation plan

1.2

A process of continual assessment is applied to review and evaluate progress, and new directions planned and implemented in response to unforeseen events

1.3

The conduct of the investigation is sufficiently adaptable/flexible to allow for contingencies

1.4

Regular briefings and debriefings of all relevant personnel are conducted to ensure the sharing of information

2

Collect and analyse information relevant to investigations

2.1

The relevance and reliability of information sources are assessed in accordance with organisational guidelines

2.2

Relevant information is legitimately collected, analysed, and documented to further the investigation

2.3

Evidence from incoming information is identified, secured and controlled in accordance with organisational guidelines

2.4

All information obtained from crime scenes and throughout the conduct of the investigation is assessed to determine relevance

3

Seize, process and manage exhibits

3.1

Exhibits are identified, seized and documented

3.2

Continuity and security of exhibits is ensured to maintain integrity

3.3

Handling, recording, storing and disposing of exhibits complies with legislative and administrative procedures

4

Identify and investigate subjects and suspects

4.1

All organisational avenues of inquiry and investigative procedures are considered and utilised to identify subjects and suspects

4.2

Investigative techniques are selected and applied, in accordance with jurisdictional laws, policies, guidelines and established 'Codes of Ethical/Professional Conduct'

4.3

All relevant information is applied to identify and locate persons relevant to the investigation and eliminate persons who are not

4.4

Profiles are assessed to identify further avenues of inquiry

4.5

Persons are interviewed in accordance with organisational policies and guidelines

5

Develop subject profiles

5.1

Enquiries are conducted to develop subject profiles

5.2

Movements of profile subjects relating to the offence are identified and recorded

5.3

Profiles of subjects' antecedents are established and recorded

5.4

Risk or threat assessment levels are determined and recorded to inform subsequent action

5.5

Liaison is established with other appropriate agencies to facilitate development/identification/analysis of profiles

5.6

Profiles are recorded, documented and securely distributed, to inform relevant operatives in accordance with organisational policy

6

Implement responses to investigations

6.1

Briefings/debriefings are conducted to inform relevant stakeholders of past and subsequent actions

6.2

Relevant recommendations regarding the investigation are developed and forwarded to the delegated person for consideration/implementation

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

oral communication (listening, establishing rapport, negotiation, conflict resolution)

written communication, in particular the capacity to provide clear comprehensive, accurate and chronologically sequenced written documentation

analytical techniques, in particular application of logic and reasoning to identify and select avenues of inquiry and substantiate these choices

decision making and problem solving

basic investigation methods and skills

preparation and submission of documents

operational safety

Required Knowledge

EEO

Anti-discrimination Act

Disability Act

government and policy environments within which operations will be conducted

different types of criminal activity and their elements

available resources which may need to be deployed to support the investigation

security issues and classifications

correct interpretation of all applicable laws, policy and procedures

Legal and ethical considerations in investigations which involve juveniles and indigenous people

investigation principles and the range of investigation techniques available

knowledge of case management systems and the range of contexts in which they can be applied

court procedures and evidentiary requirements in provision of briefs of evidence for use by the prosecution

ethics, professionalism and cultural diversity

role and functions of other agencies who work with policing in the conduct of investigations

methods and process for subject/suspect identification and profiling

general background appreciation of pathology

the impact of the police role on individuals and groups regarding law enforcement

Evidence Required

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

To demonstrate competence in this unit, processes used in the investigation must meet organisational policies and procedures and jurisdictional law

Consistency in performance

Evidence for competency in this unit must be gathered over time and across a range of workplace or simulated situations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

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.


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.

Investigations may include

multi-disciplinary approaches and may have criminal and/or coronial purposes

Unforeseen events may include

withdrawal/reduction of allocated resources

critical evidence

Resources may include

human, physical and financial and may include other agencies, such as:

other police organisations

National Crime Authority

Criminal Justice Commissions

other government departments/agencies

non-government agencies such as financial institutions and insurance companies

All relevant personnel may include

team members, investigation supervisors

sources of information may include:

witnesses/victims/informants,

suspects

internal/external agencies

surveillance provided by self or from other legitimate sources

Information may be utilised in relation to

task allocation

information analysis

identification of data collection plans

linking of information

Exhibits may include

the individual items of evidence that could be presented to a court and may be required for viewing by:

judicial officers

prosecutors

defence counsel

expert and non-expert witnesses

for audit purposes

Seize incorporates

the lawful procedures that permit seizure of property/goods including the procurement and execution of relevant warrants

Processing of exhibits may include

forensic examination such as document examination

photography, finger prints

technical services

presentation in court

viewing by the prosecutor and the defence

Avenues of inquiry need to consider

financial practicalities

physical

human and legal constraints

Investigation techniques may include

using other sources of information such as media

doorknocks

forensic examination/analysis

informants/informers

listening devices and other covert surveillance techniques

search and search warrants

computer interrogation/data retrieval

Suspect identification methods may include

line-ups

photographs

fingerprints

witnesses

body samples (blood, hair, skin, fluids, cell scrapings, etc)

handwriting analysis

admissions/confessions

circumstantial evidence

modus operandi (MO)

Methods to establish last known movements may include

direct evidence from witnesses

reconstructions

analysis of physical evidence

database inquiries

time and movement analysis

analysis of known habits

Sources from which to compile antecedents may include

collection of evidence from witnesses

financial profiles

police databases

public databases,

backgrounds of family/friends

forensic/medical reports

employment history

Persons may include

suspects

informants

witnesses

juveniles

people with disabilities

people from different cultural backgrounds

Subjects may include

vehicles

premises

vessels

Operational plan may be

formal

Informal

documented

Other agencies may include

Interpol

other police organisations

government departments

charities

financial institutions

hospitals

forensic agencies

crime stoppers

neighbourhood watch

defence forces

Australian Securities Commission

Trade Practices Commission

law society

legal practitioners

complaints committee

Australian Taxation Office

Profiles may include

simple or detailed

formal or informal

victims

offenders

witnesses

financial and industrial organisations

Profiles may include

physical description

list of family and friends

criminal antecedents,

list of assets

details of any debtors/creditors

sexual identify

sexuality

sexual partners

details of siblings

race/ethnicity,

vehicles,

employment details

qualifications,

skills

affiliations

Actions taken may include

investigation techniques

arrest

summons

caution

closing report

coronial reports

forfeiture of assets

Briefing/debriefings may be

formal or informal

written or verbal

Recommendations could include

changes to law

policy and procedures of both internal and external agencies

Persons relevant to the investigation may include

victims (individuals and/or companies)

complainant

next-of-kin

neighbours

legal representatives

coroners

police pathologists

Immigration Department

embassies

Defence forces

Rights may include

caution

legal representation

interpreter

silence

notification of family/friends

opportunity to make a written statement

audiotape or videotape

independent adult present (for juveniles)

support person present (for indigenous peoples, intellectually disabled)

being treated with dignity and respect during searches examinations


Sectors


Employability Skills

The required outcomes described in this Unit of Competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this Unit of Competency is packaged, will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.