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

Required Skills

communication and negotiation in discussing examinationsanalyses with investigators forensic practitioners and other stakeholders

analytical decision making and problem solving in responding to a range of laboratory examinationsanalyses including the systematic examination of items of physical evidence

work effectively with a range of practitioners

manage resource and time

exhibit handling and preserving continuity of evidence

forensic investigation methods and skills

use of relevant generic and discipline specific laboratory equipment

apply OHampS principles

Required Knowledge

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

legislative policy procedural and quality system requirements for the collection preservation security continuity and disposal of exhibits

the range of services available to assist laboratory examination and interpretation of physical evidence

the sequential application and potential limitations of forensic investigative techniques

current relevant and sound knowledge and understanding of a particular discipline relevant to the examinationanalysis of evidence the following is relevant to specific disciplines

fingerprint identification skin and fingerprint physiology fingerprint fundamentals and examination fingerprinting of deceased persons treatment of questionable latents

firearms and toolmarks identification characteristics of ammunition firearms and firearm identification ballistics range determination restoration techniques and vehicle examination where appropriate

document examination altered and manipulated documents detection of impressions in paper factors affecting handwriting handwriting comparison machine generated documents characteristics of paper printed documents reconstructionrestoration of documents and writing implements and ink

current and sound knowledge and understanding of the protocols and analytical methodologies used as documented in the quality system manuals

current and sound knowledge and understanding of the functions of the instrumentsequipment used for analysis

quality system requirements for laboratory examinations

OHampS practices to be followed when examining physical evidence

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

It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in

Ability to determine appropriateness and sequence of examinationsanalyses

Ability to conduct appropriate techniques for examinationanalysis

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

This unit may be assessed on the job or in a simulated work environment

This unit must be assessed against the relevant discipline Crime Scenes or Fingerprints or Documents or Firearms or Toolmarks or Fire or Explosion

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

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 PUA Public Safety Training Package

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

Appropriate forensic practitioners include

Range of analysis options may include

Analyses are prioritised

Evaluation regime may include