The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Pre-requisite Unit/s

PUAPOLFC010A Evaluate items and conduct laboratory examinations and analyses

PUAPOLFC029A Use and maintain specialist forensic equipment

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan laboratory procedure

1.1 Evidence is evaluated to determine the hypotheses to be tested and the range of analysis options available

1.2 An appropriate laboratory procedure is selected/developed that is based on recognised forensic techniques and scientific methodology

1.3 New or modified procedures are validated before application to casework samples

1.4 Procedures including new or modified procedures are documented in accordance with quality system requirements

2. Conduct laboratory procedure

2.1 The laboratory analysis/examination is conducted in accordance with documented procedures

2.2 Requirements for testing of quality control samples are satisfied and records maintained

2.3 Results obtained from the laboratory procedure are recorded in accordance with the quality system requirements

3. Interpret/evaluate risks

3.1 The validity and integrity of results obtained from the laboratory procedure are evaluated objectively

3.2 Conclusions are drawn from these results in accordance with current forensic practices within the discipline and documented organisational guidelines

4. Verify and report conclusions

4.1 Laboratory procedures, results and conclusions are subjected to technical review

4.2 Results and conclusions are reported in accordance with discipline and quality system requirements

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

Required Skills

analytical, decision making and problem solving skills in response to the application of specialised forensic discipline knowledge,

evidence interpretation,

select and use appropriate laboratory equipment,

research,

collecting, recording, collating, analysing, evaluating and disseminating information,

organisational skills,

accurately using analytical equipment and processes to produce evidence which is acceptable in courts

Required Knowledge

organisational quality system requirements,

laboratory examination procedures relevant to discipline area,

detailed knowledge of the scientific principles upon which the discipline is based,

relevant contemporary discipline literature,

limitations and boundaries of specialist knowledge,

quality assurance requirements for discipline specific casework and the reporting of findings,

the range of analytical techniques appropriate for the specific application,

the range and strength of conclusions available for the interpretation of results,

inductive/deductive reasoning

This unit contains employability skills.