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 OHampS principles which includes OHampS 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 logsdamage 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 onthejob 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 andor 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 industryapproved 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

Maintenance would include:

Equipment may include:

Maintenance schedules would include:

Safety equipment includes:

Fault or failure includes:

Reporting of a fault or failure may include: