Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:36 AM AWST
22/07/2026 1:36 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Conduct investigations
Conduct investigations
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAPOL024B
PUAPOL024B
State Code
D3791
D3791
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/10/2010
Field of Education
091105 - Police Studies
Original Release Date
18/10/2010
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit covers the competency to apply investigation processes in accordance with jurisdictional law, policy and procedures.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Maintain and evaluate operational direction
- 1.1 The investigation is conducted in accordance with the investigation plan
- 1.2 A process of continual assessment is applied to review and evaluate progress, and new directions planned and implemented in response to unforeseen events
- 1.3 The conduct of the investigation is sufficiently adaptable/flexible to allow for contingencies
- 1.4 Regular briefings and debriefings of all relevant personnel are conducted to ensure the sharing of information
2 Collect and analyse information relevant to investigations
- 2.1 The relevance and reliability of information sources are assessed in accordance with organisational guidelines
- 2.2 Relevant information is legitimately collected, analysed, and documented to further the investigation
- 2.3 Evidence from incoming information is identified, secured and controlled in accordance with organisational guidelines
- 2.4 All information obtained from crime scenes and throughout the conduct of the investigation is assessed to determine relevance
3 Seize, process and manage exhibits
- 3.1 Exhibits are identified, seized and documented
- 3.2 Continuity and security of exhibits is ensured to maintain integrity
- 3.3 Handling, recording, storing and disposing of exhibits complies with legislative and administrative procedures
4 Identify and investigate subjects and suspects
- 4.1 All organisational avenues of inquiry and investigative procedures are considered and utilised to identify subjects and suspects
- 4.2 Investigative techniques are selected and applied, in accordance with jurisdictional laws, policies, guidelines and established 'Codes of Ethical/Professional Conduct'
- 4.3 All relevant information is applied to identify and locate persons relevant to the investigation and eliminate persons who are not
- 4.4 Profiles are assessed to identify further avenues of inquiry
- 4.5 Persons are interviewed in accordance with organisational policies and guidelines
5 Develop subject profiles
- 5.1 Enquiries are conducted to develop subject profiles
- 5.2 Movements of profile subjects relating to the offence are identified and recorded
- 5.3 Profiles of subjects' antecedents are established and recorded
- 5.4 Risk or threat assessment levels are determined and recorded to inform subsequent action
- 5.5 Liaison is established with other appropriate agencies to facilitate development/identification/analysis of profiles
- 5.6 Profiles are recorded, documented and securely distributed, to inform relevant operatives in accordance with organisational policy
6 Implement responses to investigations
- 6.1 Briefings/debriefings are conducted to inform relevant stakeholders of past and subsequent actions
- 6.2 Relevant recommendations regarding the investigation are developed and forwarded to the delegated person for consideration/implementation
Investigations may include
multi-disciplinary approaches and may have criminal and/or coronial purposes
Unforeseen events may include
withdrawal/reduction of allocated resources
critical evidence
Resources may include
human, physical and financial and may include other agencies, such as:
other police organisations
National Crime Authority
Criminal Justice Commissions
other government departments/agencies
non-government agencies such as financial institutions and insurance companies
All relevant personnel may include
team members, investigation supervisors
sources of information may include:
witnesses/victims/informants,
suspects
internal/external agencies
surveillance provided by self or from other legitimate sources
Information may be utilised in relation to
task allocation
information analysis
identification of data collection plans
linking of information
Exhibits may include
the individual items of evidence that could be presented to a court and may be required for viewing by:
judicial officers
prosecutors
defence counsel
expert and non-expert witnesses
for audit purposes
Seize incorporates
the lawful procedures that permit seizure of property/goods including the procurement and execution of relevant warrants
Processing of exhibits may include
forensic examination such as document examination
photography, finger prints
technical services
presentation in court
viewing by the prosecutor and the defence
Avenues of inquiry need to consider
financial practicalities
physical
human and legal constraints
Investigation techniques may include
using other sources of information such as media
doorknocks
forensic examination/analysis
informants/informers
listening devices and other covert surveillance techniques
search and search warrants
computer interrogation/data retrieval
Suspect identification methods may include
line-ups
photographs
fingerprints
witnesses
body samples (blood, hair, skin, fluids, cell scrapings, etc)
handwriting analysis
admissions/confessions
circumstantial evidence
modus operandi (MO)
Methods to establish last known movements may include
direct evidence from witnesses
reconstructions
analysis of physical evidence
database inquiries
time and movement analysis
analysis of known habits
Sources from which to compile antecedents may include
collection of evidence from witnesses
financial profiles
police databases
public databases,
backgrounds of family/friends
forensic/medical reports
employment history
Persons may include
suspects
informants
witnesses
juveniles
people with disabilities
people from different cultural backgrounds
Subjects may include
vehicles
premises
vessels
Operational plan may be
formal
Informal
documented
Other agencies may include
Interpol
other police organisations
government departments
charities
financial institutions
hospitals
forensic agencies
crime stoppers
neighbourhood watch
defence forces
Australian Securities Commission
Trade Practices Commission
law society
legal practitioners
complaints committee
Australian Taxation Office
Profiles may include
simple or detailed
formal or informal
victims
offenders
witnesses
financial and industrial organisations
Profiles may include
physical description
list of family and friends
criminal antecedents,
list of assets
details of any debtors/creditors
sexual identify
sexuality
sexual partners
details of siblings
race/ethnicity,
vehicles,
employment details
qualifications,
skills
affiliations
Actions taken may include
investigation techniques
arrest
summons
caution
closing report
coronial reports
forfeiture of assets
Briefing/debriefings may be
formal or informal
written or verbal
Recommendations could include
changes to law
policy and procedures of both internal and external agencies
Persons relevant to the investigation may include
victims (individuals and/or companies)
complainant
next-of-kin
neighbours
legal representatives
coroners
police pathologists
Immigration Department
embassies
Defence forces
Rights may include
caution
legal representation
interpreter
silence
notification of family/friends
opportunity to make a written statement
audiotape or videotape
independent adult present (for juveniles)
support person present (for indigenous peoples, intellectually disabled)
being treated with dignity and respect during searches examinations
multi-disciplinary approaches and may have criminal and/or coronial purposes
Unforeseen events may include
withdrawal/reduction of allocated resources
critical evidence
Resources may include
human, physical and financial and may include other agencies, such as:
other police organisations
National Crime Authority
Criminal Justice Commissions
other government departments/agencies
non-government agencies such as financial institutions and insurance companies
All relevant personnel may include
team members, investigation supervisors
sources of information may include:
witnesses/victims/informants,
suspects
internal/external agencies
surveillance provided by self or from other legitimate sources
Information may be utilised in relation to
task allocation
information analysis
identification of data collection plans
linking of information
Exhibits may include
the individual items of evidence that could be presented to a court and may be required for viewing by:
judicial officers
prosecutors
defence counsel
expert and non-expert witnesses
for audit purposes
Seize incorporates
the lawful procedures that permit seizure of property/goods including the procurement and execution of relevant warrants
Processing of exhibits may include
forensic examination such as document examination
photography, finger prints
technical services
presentation in court
viewing by the prosecutor and the defence
Avenues of inquiry need to consider
financial practicalities
physical
human and legal constraints
Investigation techniques may include
using other sources of information such as media
doorknocks
forensic examination/analysis
informants/informers
listening devices and other covert surveillance techniques
search and search warrants
computer interrogation/data retrieval
Suspect identification methods may include
line-ups
photographs
fingerprints
witnesses
body samples (blood, hair, skin, fluids, cell scrapings, etc)
handwriting analysis
admissions/confessions
circumstantial evidence
modus operandi (MO)
Methods to establish last known movements may include
direct evidence from witnesses
reconstructions
analysis of physical evidence
database inquiries
time and movement analysis
analysis of known habits
Sources from which to compile antecedents may include
collection of evidence from witnesses
financial profiles
police databases
public databases,
backgrounds of family/friends
forensic/medical reports
employment history
Persons may include
suspects
informants
witnesses
juveniles
people with disabilities
people from different cultural backgrounds
Subjects may include
vehicles
premises
vessels
Operational plan may be
formal
Informal
documented
Other agencies may include
Interpol
other police organisations
government departments
charities
financial institutions
hospitals
forensic agencies
crime stoppers
neighbourhood watch
defence forces
Australian Securities Commission
Trade Practices Commission
law society
legal practitioners
complaints committee
Australian Taxation Office
Profiles may include
simple or detailed
formal or informal
victims
offenders
witnesses
financial and industrial organisations
Profiles may include
physical description
list of family and friends
criminal antecedents,
list of assets
details of any debtors/creditors
sexual identify
sexuality
sexual partners
details of siblings
race/ethnicity,
vehicles,
employment details
qualifications,
skills
affiliations
Actions taken may include
investigation techniques
arrest
summons
caution
closing report
coronial reports
forfeiture of assets
Briefing/debriefings may be
formal or informal
written or verbal
Recommendations could include
changes to law
policy and procedures of both internal and external agencies
Persons relevant to the investigation may include
victims (individuals and/or companies)
complainant
next-of-kin
neighbours
legal representatives
coroners
police pathologists
Immigration Department
embassies
Defence forces
Rights may include
caution
legal representation
interpreter
silence
notification of family/friends
opportunity to make a written statement
audiotape or videotape
independent adult present (for juveniles)
support person present (for indigenous peoples, intellectually disabled)
being treated with dignity and respect during searches examinations
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
To demonstrate competence in this unit, processes used in the investigation must meet organisational policies and procedures and jurisdictional law
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
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments
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 PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.
To demonstrate competence in this unit, processes used in the investigation must meet organisational policies and procedures and jurisdictional law
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
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments
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 PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3920 | PUAPOL024A | Conduct investigations | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W995 | CSC40112 | Certificate IV in Correctional Practice | Qualification |