Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:33 PM AWST

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Conduct investigations

Conduct investigations

Unit of competency
National Code
PSPREG425
State Code
WE680
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
01/11/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/07/2014
Field of Education
080313 - Public And Health Care Administration
Original Release Date
07/07/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit covers the competency to apply investigation processes in accordance with commonwealth and/or jurisdictional law, policy and procedures.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Maintain and evaluate operational direction
  • 1.1 The investigation is conducted in accordance with requirements of the investigation situation or 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 commonwealth and/or 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.
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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Investigation may include:
multidisciplinary approaches and may have criminal and/or coronial purposes
Unforeseen events may include:
withdrawal/reduction of allocated resources
critical evidence
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
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
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
Avenues of inquiry need to consider:
financial practicalities
physical
human and legal constraints
Subjects may include:
vehicles
premises
vessels
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
Persons relevant to the investigation may include:
victims (individuals and/or companies)
complainant
next-of-kin
neighbours
legal representatives
Immigration Department
embassies
Defence forces
Profiles may include:
simple or detailed
formal or informal
victims
offenders
witnesses
financial and industrial organisations
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
Persons may include:
suspects
informants
witnesses
juveniles
people with disabilities
people from different cultural backgrounds
Other agencies may include:
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
Briefings/debriefings may be:
formal or informal
written or verbal
Recommendations may include:
changes to law
policy and procedures of both internal and external agencies
The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Overview of evidence requirements
It is essential for this unit that to demonstrate competence in this unit, processes used in the investigation must meet organisational policies and procedures and commonwealth and/or jurisdictional law
Resources required to carry out assessment
No special resources are required.
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Indigenous people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
case studies
observation
portfolios
questioning
scenarios
simulation or role plays
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments
No information