ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Maintain equipment

1.1 Maintenance routines are performed on equipment and where required, documented, to comply with established maintenance schedules

1.2 Equipment is stored to maintain its security and handled in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations

2. Use equipment

2.1 Task requirements are analysed and strategies are implemented to successfully examine and record forensic evidence

2.2 Equipment is used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, documented procedures and organisational policies and procedures

2.3 Safety equipment is used at accident, crime, incident or other situations as necessary

2.4 Equipment fault or failure is reported in accordance with documented procedures and alternative equipment or methods are employed

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

Required Skills

accurately use recording equipment and processes to produce evidence that is acceptable in courts

apply occupational health and safety (OH&S) principles, which includes OH&S legislation, laboratory safety manuals, relevant Australian Standards

select and use appropriate laboratory and field equipment

take forensic photographs

undertake routine equipment maintenance of applicable equipment

Required Knowledge

disciplines such as Crime Scenes, Fingerprints, Documents, Firearms and Toolmarks, Fire and Explosion scenes

jurisdictional laws, policies and procedures covering the use of laboratory and field equipment

maintenance requirements for equipment

operating procedures for equipment

organisational procedures for cleaning and discarding equipment in terms of environmental management and sustainability

requirements of the quality system

safety practices that must be followed when using equipment

various types of equipment maintenance logs/damage reports required and when they must be completed

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

use properly maintained equipment to maximise the evidentiary value of physical evidence.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of workplace or simulated situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed on-the-job or in a simulated work environment.

This unit must be assessed against the relevant discipline such as Crime Scenes, Fingerprints, Documents, Firearms, Toolmarks, Fire and Explosion, Criminalistics or Biology.

Competency in this unit in one particular discipline does not imply competence in any other forensic discipline in this same unit.

Specific resources for assessment

There are no specific resource requirements for this unit.

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions.

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.

Maintenance would include:

Cleaning

Repairing faults and breakages

Replenishing consumables

Warranty and routine services

Waste disposal

Equipment may include:

Crime scene investigation - recording and capture devices, light sources, casting and restoration equipment and electrostatic lifters

Fingerprint identification - recording and capture devices, fuming cabinets, fume hoods, light sources and IT equipment (e.g. NAFIS system)

Firearms and toolmark examination - microscopes, recording and capture devices, and measurement devices

Document examination - recording and capture devices, light sources and electrostatic detection apparatus

Fire and explosion scene investigation - recording and capture devices and light sources

Maintenance schedules would include:

Calibration routines, which are applied where measurements are required to be verified against a reference standard according to documented procedures

Calibration schedules from quality manuals and maintenance contracts

Manufacturer's guidelines

Safety equipment includes:

Boots

Chemical spill kits

Coveralls

Emergency eye wash and showers

Eye protection

First aid kits

Fume hoods

Gloves

Masks

Overalls

Protective clothing

Respirators

Splash suits

Fault or failure includes:

System or item failure or physical damage

Reporting of a fault or failure may include:

Verbal communication

Written communication