ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Coordinate fire investigation

1.1 Roles and responsibilities of multi-agency and support personnel involved in fire investigation are confirmed

1.2 Cooperation with multi-agency personnel in the conduct of the investigation consistent with designated roles and responsibilities for the fire investigation is achieved

1.3 Information required for the fire investigation from multi-agency personnel is identified, sought and received

1.4 Protective clothing and equipment are used

1.5 Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures appropriate to the incident are followed

2. Identify, assess and collect circuitry components and appliances

2.1 External and internal survey of fire scene is conducted to identify and assess electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances

2.2 Relevance of electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances to fire cause is assessed and established

2.3 Arrangements are made for the attendance of a specialist electrical fire investigator, or government or private specialist investigators, where it is believed that electrical systems, components or appliances may have contributed to the fire

2.4 Local expertise is sourced, where required

2.5 Interviews are conducted

2.6 Circuitry plans/layouts are sourced

2.7 Areas or items of evidential value relevant to the investigation at the fire scene are identified and preserved

2.8 Evidence is recorded and collected at the fire scene and relevant observations are documented

2.9 Electrical circuitry components, equipment and appliances of evidential value are protected

3. Arrange for tests on electrical evidence collected

3.1 Advice is received from the specialist fire investigator (electrical), or government or private specialist investigator, as to the tests required of evidence relating to electrical systems or appliances

3.2 Arrangements are made for laboratory and specialist testing and assessment of electrical items of evidential value

4. Interpret and record findings

4.1 Circuitry components on site plans are documented to support evidence and conclusions

4.2 Basic circuit diagrams and electrical plans relating to building, components and equipment are interpreted

4.3 Report providing expert opinion concerning the potential of electrical circuitry or equipment failure to contribute to the cause of fire is obtained

4.4 Expert findings relating to potential electrical circuit component or appliance contributions to ignition are considered in conjunction with other observations and evidence from the fire

4.5 Product recall and material safety data sheet databases are researched, as appropriate

4.6 Recommendations are forwarded to appropriate authorities/ stakeholders, as required

4.7 Findings are interpreted and recorded according to required practice and agency policy

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

Required Skills

analyse expert findings

apply methods, techniques and equipment for handling and storing evidence

apply principles of investigation based on scientific method

identify potential ignition sources and process of elimination

package, label and store evidence for transport

preserve and avoid damage or contamination of evidence

research product information such as price, product recall, manufacturers’ information

undertake an external and internal assessment of scene

use information technology to access and enter internal and external information and data

use visual and electric recording equipment

Required Knowledge

agreed protocols, agency procedures, legal, regulatory or organisational stated procedures and requirements for the investigation of incidents involving fire

basic circuit diagrams and electrical plans relating to electric components and equipment

laboratory or specialist testing sequence of electrical items

OHS legislation and its application

operation of electrical/electronic equipment and appliances

procedures for conducting excessive heat stress tests on electrical equipment and appliances

relevant Australian Standards and international standards relating to electrical installations and appliances

rules of evidence

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

methodically examine fire scenes in which electrical installations may have a potential relationship

demonstrate knowledge of basic electrical circuitry

apply relevant laws, legislation, codes of practice and relevant standards to fire investigation

document findings identifying components of electrical equipment (prior to and post fire) and relationships (or not) to any possible electrical causes of ignition to a fire scene.

Consistency in performance

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

various electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances

fire scene or simulation

electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances damaged by electrical faults which resulted in fire

legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to gathering and managing evidence

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of offences likely to occur for which evidence needs to be gathered and managed.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include a combination of:

case studies

demonstration

observation

questioning

scenarios

authenticated evidence from the workplace.

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.

Agencies may include:

Coroner

Electrical authorities

Forensic scientists

Gas authorities

Industry peak bodies

Insurance investigators, assessors and construction companies (to ‘make safe’ properties)

Other statutory authorities

Police investigators

Support personnel may include:

Government and private forensic chemists

Insurance investigators and assessors

Local knowledge

Statutory bodies

Fire scene may include:

Cable insulation

Circuit and component failure

Circuit mapping

Components

Evidence electrical tracking

Flame propagation in hazardous locations

Operation of protective devices

Wire overheating

Electrical circuitry includes:

Design

Installations

Overload protection

Power supply

Resistance

Short circuit/fault currents

Voltage – current – kilowatts in different appliances

Electrical equipment and appliances may include:

Electronics

Fans

Heaters

Installed wiring

Kitchen appliances such as toaster, electric kettle, microwave

Lights and fittings

Motors and switch gear

Socket outlets and switch gear

Electrical circuitry components, equipment and appliances of evidential value must be protected from:

Contamination

Damage

Destruction

Spoliation

Unauthorised removal