Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Codes of practice
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected that the latest version be used
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS ISO 1000-1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application
AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
AS/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set
AS/NZS ISO 9000 Set:2008 Quality management systems set
AS 1678 Emergency procedure guide -Transport
AS 1940-2004 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
AS/NZS 4452:1997 The storage and handling of toxic substances
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic Set:2007 Environmental management standards set
Australia Post Guides
Australian Dangerous Goods Code
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) codes of practice
International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
judicial and enterprise protocols
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
national measurement regulations and guidelines
work health and safety (WHS) national standards and codes of practice
quality manuals, equipment and procedures manuals
Location of evidence/samples
Evidence/samples may be from:
industrial accidents
criminal investigations
contaminated sites
searches and evidence collection
fire and explosion
disasters
vehicle collisions
motor vehicles
Detection of evidence/samples
Evidence/samples detection methods may be:
chemical
optical
physical
Sample collection methods
Sample collection methods may include:
hand picking (including use of forceps and gloves)
tape lifting
sweeping
vacuuming
swabbing
liquid and solid sampling procedures
Methods for recording location of evidence
Methods for locating the position of located evidence may include:
photographs (including CU where required)
video
diagrams and sketches
hand written notes
documentation
computer data
global positioning system (GPS)
Evidence/samples
Evidence and samples may include:
any and all objects:
gross or microscopic
living or inanimate
solid, liquid or gas
relationships between all such objects
development/enhancement/examination (e.g. use of poly light)
trace evidence examinations
biological samples, such as organs, hair, blood, semen and saliva
blood splatter patterns
clothing
documents
drugs
explosives
fibres
fingerprint development/ enhancement/examination
fire debris
firearm and ammunition examinations
impressions
paint
petroleum products
powder residues
serial numbers
shoeprint and tyre marks
soils and minerals
toolmark examination
Packaging samples
Packaging samples may take into account:
physical nature of the evidence/sample
packaging medium
tamper evident seals
exhibit labels
drying of wet exhibits
storage temperature
Maintaining integrity of samples
Maintaining the integrity of samples could involve:
use of appropriate sample containers (glass, plastic and opaque)
use of appropriate preservatives
wrapping container in foil to exclude light
temperature control, which may involve prevention of direct contact between the sample and coolant
use of appropriate equipment boxes (insulated, shockproof and waterproof)
restraint of containers to prevent movement
checking sample viability during transport while avoiding unnecessary handling
Hazards
Hazards may include:
access related (e.g. down cliff faces)
chemicals, such as acids and solvents used in drug labs
collapse of unstable structures, such as after arson
confined space entry
cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen
flammable liquids and gases
fluids under pressure, such as steam and industrial gases
infectious agents from corpses
lifting heavy and awkward items
microbiological organisms and agents, associated with soil, air and water
radiation, such as alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray and neutron
sharps, broken glassware and hand tools
sources of ignition
Hazard control measures
Hazard control measures may include:
use of equipment to address dangers at sites (e.g. propping up unstable walls or climbing gear to go down cliffs)
ensuring access to service shut-off points
recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs
using biohazard containers
labelling of samples and hazardous materials
handling and storage of hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer instructions
identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions
cleaning equipment and work areas regularly using enterprise procedures
using personal protective clothing and equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, coveralls and safety boots
following established manual handling procedures
reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/wastewater, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates to appropriate personnel
WHS and environmental management requirements
WHS and environmental management requirements:
all operations must comply with enterprise WHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time
all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied
where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
use observations skills to locate samples/evidence
interpret and apply evidence/sample collection methods accurately
safely locate, record, collect, transport and store samples/evidence
keep accurate records
communicate any problems to a supervisor or industry professional
maintain security, integrity and traceability of samples/evidence, sub-samples and documentation.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
Resources may include:
enterprise procedures and standard methods
sample containers
containers for transporting samples.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of job sheets or journal of completed activities
review of workplace documentation completed by the candidate
observation of candidate collecting a range of samples/evidence
feedback from peers, supervisors and industry professionals
oral or written questioning of required knowledge.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess required knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work place environment.