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Evidence Guide: PUAPOLFC003B - Detect, record and collect physical evidence

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

 

PUAPOLFC003B - Detect, record and collect physical evidence

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

Detect and record physical evidence

  1. Physical evidence is detected using observation techniques and appropriate technological methods.
  2. Physical evidence is collected to prevent contamination or loss.
  3. Samples collected are sufficient in quantity, where possible, to allow all potential examinations/analysis to be carried out.
  4. Samples collected are sufficient to represent the natural variation that occurs in the physical evidence.
  5. Control reference samples are collected, where available and appropriate.
  6. Documented record of the physical evidence is produced in line with agreed agency procedures.
Physical evidence is detected using observation techniques and appropriate technological methods.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical evidence is collected to prevent contamination or loss.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samples collected are sufficient in quantity, where possible, to allow all potential examinations/analysis to be carried out.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samples collected are sufficient to represent the natural variation that occurs in the physical evidence.

Completed
Date:

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Control reference samples are collected, where available and appropriate.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Documented record of the physical evidence is produced in line with agreed agency procedures.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collect physical evidence

  1. Physical evidence is recorded prior to examination to ensure continuity and accuracy.
  2. Recording methods are identified to document the physical evidence in accordance with quality system requirements and within resource limitations.
  3. Latent evidence is collected/detected by physical or chemical means.
Physical evidence is recorded prior to examination to ensure continuity and accuracy.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recording methods are identified to document the physical evidence in accordance with quality system requirements and within resource limitations.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latent evidence is collected/detected by physical or chemical means.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Package physical evidence

  1. Items are packaged and stored to maintain continuity and prevent degradation or contamination.
  2. Physical evidence is packaged in accordance with occupational health and safety (OH&S) guidelines.
  3. Details of evidence collected are entered in case notes and where appropriate in the exhibit register to maintain continuity.
Items are packaged and stored to maintain continuity and prevent degradation or contamination.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical evidence is packaged in accordance with occupational health and safety (OH&S) guidelines.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details of evidence collected are entered in case notes and where appropriate in the exhibit register to maintain continuity.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

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:

maximise the potential evidentiary value of the exhibit

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

Required Skills and Knowledge

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

Required Skills

analyse, make decisions and solve problems in responding to a range of physical evidence contexts including the systematic examination of items of physical evidence

collect, package and preserve specific evidence types

communicate in writing clearly and unambiguously

handle exhibits and preserve continuity of evidence

maintain operational safety

manage resources and time effectively

use specialised evidence recording equipment as required

Required Knowledge

application and potential limitations of forensic investigative techniques

legislative, policy, and quality system context in which forensic examinations are conducted

legislative, policy, and quality system requirements for search and the seizure of physical evidence

legislative, policy, and quality system requirements for collecting, preserving continuity and disposing of exhibits

legislative, policy and quality system requirements for the security, protection and preservation of the evidence

OH&S practices to be followed when recording, collecting and packaging physical evidence

range of techniques available for the recording, collecting, packaging and preserving physical evidence

required forensic documentation for the recording and collection of physical evidence

role and functions of other forensic discipline specialists in the recording, collection, preservation and continuity of physical evidence

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.

Incident/crime scenes may include:

Civil investigations

Controlled drug deliveries

Criminal investigations

Disasters

Drug substitutions

Fire and explosions

Industrial accidents

Search of persons/evidence

Searches and evidence collection

Sudden deaths

Special events

Vehicle collisions

Vehicle identification

Laboratory examinations may include:

Document examination

Fingerprint development/enhancement/examination

Firearm examinations

Motor vehicle examinations

Shoeprint development/enhancement/examination

Toolmark examinations

Trace evidence examinations

Physical evidence may include:

Any and all objects

Liquid or gas including the relationship between all such objects

Living or inanimate objects

Objects gross or microscopic in size

Solid

Tyremarks, shoemarks, toolmarks, fingerprints, fibres, biological tissue, blood stain analysis, vehicle examinations, paint, clothing, fire debris and documents

Detection methods may include:

Chemical

Optical

Physical

Natural variation refers to:

Diversity of characteristics that occurs in all items of physical evidence

Control/reference samples refers to:

Control samples which represent background contaminants

Samples collected from a known source (such as elimination fingerprints, hairs from the victim and suspect)

Recording methods can be:

Audio recording

Computer generated data

Digital imaging

Hand written notes

Global positioning system (GPS)

Photographic

Physical capture

Sketch plan

Video recording

Evidence collection methods may include:

Hand picking (including use of forceps, gloves)

Swabbing

Sweeping

Tape lifting

Vacuuming

Packaging and storing to maintain continuity and prevent degradation or contamination may include consideration of:

Drying of wet exhibits

Exhibit labels

Packaging medium

Physical nature of exhibit

Storage temperature

Tamper evident seals