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Evidence Guide: POLFOR001 - Apply specialised forensic science techniques

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

POLFOR001 - Apply specialised forensic science techniques

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Assess biological and non-biological evidence

  1. Identify physical characteristics of biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value.
  2. Identify physical characteristics of non-biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value.
Identify physical characteristics of biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify physical characteristics of non-biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply presumptive/confirmatory testing and enhancement techniques

  1. Select advanced forensic techniques for the examination of trace/gross biological and non-biological evidence material.
  2. Identify presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine sequence of forensic processing.
  3. Conduct field based presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine the evidentiary value.
  4. Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to maximise evidentiary value.
  5. Conduct enhancement techniques to assist in location, recording, collection and interpretation of physical evidence.
Select advanced forensic techniques for the examination of trace/gross biological and non-biological evidence material.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine sequence of forensic processing.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct field based presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine the evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to maximise evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct enhancement techniques to assist in location, recording, collection and interpretation of physical evidence.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perform comparative analyses of physical evidence

  1. Identify options for comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value.
  2. Select comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value.
  3. Conduct comparative analysis examinations to establish an opinion on inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency.
  4. Verify examination results to substantiate the opinion on individualisation, inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency.
  5. Record examination and results to substantiate the opinion.
Identify options for comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct comparative analysis examinations to establish an opinion on inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Verify examination results to substantiate the opinion on individualisation, inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record examination and results to substantiate the opinion.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record examinations using forensic photography

  1. Assess crime/incident scene to select photographic technique/s.
  2. Apply photographic techniques in a methodical and sequential manner to record scene/incident/evidence.
  3. Apply light theory to determine techniques for photographic recording of evidence.
  4. Manage continuity of photographic images used for specialist examinations.
Assess crime/incident scene to select photographic technique/s.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply photographic techniques in a methodical and sequential manner to record scene/incident/evidence.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply light theory to determine techniques for photographic recording of evidence.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manage continuity of photographic images used for specialist examinations.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examine evidence found on/associated with a human body

  1. Assess human body to locate evidence.
  2. Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to locate, record and collect evidence.
  3. Apply forensic techniques to record and collect evidence from human body.
  4. Interpret the nature of wounds/injuries to inform the investigation.
  5. Interpret characteristics of human body associated with death to inform the investigation.
  6. Compare available information with examination of human body to verify or disprove information.
Assess human body to locate evidence.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to locate, record and collect evidence.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply forensic techniques to record and collect evidence from human body.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpret the nature of wounds/injuries to inform the investigation.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpret characteristics of human body associated with death to inform the investigation.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compare available information with examination of human body to verify or disprove information.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluate results of scientific examinations

  1. Review examination results for reliability and justification.
  2. Evaluate significance of the evidence to form a conclusion or opinion within the context of the investigation.
  3. Gather further information on evidence to validate conclusions/opinions.
  4. Collate information related to the forensic investigation for reporting purposes.
Review examination results for reliability and justification.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluate significance of the evidence to form a conclusion or opinion within the context of the investigation.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gather further information on evidence to validate conclusions/opinions.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collate information related to the forensic investigation for reporting purposes.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assess biological and non-biological evidence

  1. Identify physical characteristics of biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value.
  2. Identify physical characteristics of non-biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value.
Identify physical characteristics of biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify physical characteristics of non-biological evidence materials to determine their evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply presumptive/confirmatory testing and enhancement techniques

  1. Select advanced forensic techniques for the examination of trace/gross biological and non-biological evidence material.
  2. Identify presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine sequence of forensic processing.
  3. Conduct field based presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine the evidentiary value.
  4. Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to maximise evidentiary value.
  5. Conduct enhancement techniques to assist in location, recording, collection and interpretation of physical evidence.
Select advanced forensic techniques for the examination of trace/gross biological and non-biological evidence material.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine sequence of forensic processing.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct field based presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to determine the evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to maximise evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct enhancement techniques to assist in location, recording, collection and interpretation of physical evidence.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perform comparative analyses of physical evidence

  1. Identify options for comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value.
  2. Select comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value.
  3. Conduct comparative analysis examinations to establish an opinion on inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency.
  4. Verify examination results to substantiate the opinion on individualisation, inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency.
  5. Record examination and results to substantiate the opinion.
Identify options for comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select comparative analysis technique/s to maximise evidentiary value.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct comparative analysis examinations to establish an opinion on inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Verify examination results to substantiate the opinion on individualisation, inclusion/exclusion or insufficiency.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record examination and results to substantiate the opinion.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record examinations using forensic photography

  1. Assess crime/incident scene to select photographic technique/s.
  2. Apply photographic techniques in a methodical and sequential manner to record scene/incident/evidence.
  3. Apply light theory to determine techniques for photographic recording of evidence.
  4. Manage continuity of photographic images used for specialist examinations.
Assess crime/incident scene to select photographic technique/s.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply photographic techniques in a methodical and sequential manner to record scene/incident/evidence.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply light theory to determine techniques for photographic recording of evidence.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manage continuity of photographic images used for specialist examinations.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examine evidence found on/associated with a human body

  1. Assess human body to locate evidence.
  2. Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to locate, record and collect evidence.
  3. Apply forensic techniques to record and collect evidence from human body.
  4. Interpret the nature of wounds/injuries to inform the investigation.
  5. Interpret characteristics of human body associated with death to inform the investigation.
  6. Compare available information with examination of human body to verify or disprove information.
Assess human body to locate evidence.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select enhancement techniques and their sequence to locate, record and collect evidence.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply forensic techniques to record and collect evidence from human body.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpret the nature of wounds/injuries to inform the investigation.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpret characteristics of human body associated with death to inform the investigation.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compare available information with examination of human body to verify or disprove information.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluate results of scientific examinations

  1. Review examination results for reliability and justification.
  2. Evaluate significance of the evidence to form a conclusion or opinion within the context of the investigation.
  3. Gather further information on evidence to validate conclusions/opinions.
  4. Collate information related to the forensic investigation for reporting purposes.
Review examination results for reliability and justification.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluate significance of the evidence to form a conclusion or opinion within the context of the investigation.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gather further information on evidence to validate conclusions/opinions.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collate information related to the forensic investigation for reporting purposes.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Required Skills and Knowledge

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.

assessing characteristics of biological and non-biological evidence

identifying and applying advanced forensic techniques to examine evidence

determining sequence of examinations

identifying and applying enhancement techniques

performing comparative analyses through the application of advanced forensic techniques

recording information

applying scientific methodology to support forensic analyses, logical thinking and problem solving within a crime/incident scene investigation

demonstrating forensic photographic techniques to record results, including exposure, lighting, viewpoints and composition

recording results in complex photographic situations, including macro, highly reflective or curved surfaces, low contrast and large scale low light circumstances, and multi-colour/multi contrast instances

managing continuity of evidence

using specialised forensic technology and equipment

identifying, enhancing, recording, collecting and analysing evidence using various techniques

gathering and collating information

interpreting and evaluating information and opinions to inform the investigation

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.

jurisdictional coronial and criminal legislation related to forensic investigation

jurisdictional information management systems

jurisdictional policies and procedures related to forensic investigations, including quality management systems, occupational/workplace health and safety, forensic photography and expert evidence

fundamental principles of physics and how they are applied within a forensic environment (including mechanics and motion, forces, trajectory, electricity)

fundamental principles of mathematics and how they are applied/calculated within a forensic environment (including trigonometry, triangulation)

fundamental principles of chemistry (including behaviour of acids and bases, catalytic reactions)

fundamental principles of biology (including molecular biology, cell structure function and replication, serology)

human anatomy and physiology (including terminology, structural organisation, body systems, death processes and indicators)

scientific methodology

five stages of Disaster Victim Identification

principles and definitions of comparative analysis (including pattern recognition, class and individual characteristics)

advanced forensic techniques (including optical, physical and chemical enhancement)

supporting scientific principles and operating principles of specialised forensic techniques

limitations and sensitivity of presumptive/confirmatory tests

illumination techniques (including visible, polarising, bright and dark field techniques)

post-mortem medical process and procedures