Description

This unit covers the competency required to gather and collate information and obvious and accessible physical evidence from the scene of an incident and identifying potentialwitnesses.

Note: It does not cover the specialist skills required to interpret the evidence gathered, or the specialist skills required to gather specific evidence.

Performance Criteria

1. Conduct initial assessment of scene

1.1. Scene is assessed with regard to occupational health and safety and all actions are undertaken in line with organisation’s policies, procedures, guidelines and duty of care requirements

1.2. Communication is established with the senior investigating officer and liaison is maintained throughout the investigation

1.3. Circumstances surrounding the scene are ascertained from visual assessment and reports from other personnel

1.4. Scene boundary is defined/redefined as required to preserve physical evidence for collection

1.5. Obvious and accessible physical evidence is located and, where appropriate, protected from possible contamination

2. Control integrity of scene

2.1. Appropriate arrangements for scene access and egress are established and maintained

2.2. All non-essential persons are removed from the scene and relevant details are recorded accurately and legibly in accordance with organisation and regulatory procedures

2.3. Additional resources are identified and accessed to secure incident scene

2.4. The personal and health and safety needs of those involved in the incident are attended to

3. Examine scene

3.1. An appropriate search pattern is instigated in accordance with instructions from senior investigating officer to ensure all evidence is located and preserved

3.2. Details of the scene are recorded comprehensively and accurately in line with organisation’s operating procedures

3.3. Evidence is located, collected, packaged, labelled and stored to ensure preservation for further post-scene examination

3.4. An accurate log of all evidence is maintained

3.5. Scenes are correctly assessed for future investigative requirements and appropriate persons notified

4. Identify potential witnesses and initial statements recorded

4.1. Bystanders are canvassed to identify potential witnesses

4.2. Details of potential witnesses are recorded

4.3. Appropriate recording practices are used that are in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements and organisation’s policies and procedures

Key Competencies

Communicating ideas and information

• Communicate ideas and information to reporting procedures (verbal and written) 

Collecting analysing and organising information

• Collect, organise and understand information related to recognising and reporting situations

Planning and organising activities 

• Plan and organise activities which implement and follow standard procedures 

Working with others and in teams

• Work with others and in a team by assisting and cooperating with team members 

Using mathematical ideas and techniques 

• Use mathematical ideas and techniques to document and report numbers for emergency procedures

Solving problems 

• Establish diagnostic processes which recommend improvements for OH&S issues

Using technology 

• Use workplace technology related to the use of technology to assist with safe work practices

Range Statement

Initial investigation

• those enquiries conducted by the first public safety official on scene

Incident scene may include

• structural fire
• wild fire
• vehicle fire
• crime scene
• vehicle accident
• natural disaster
• industrial/mining accidents and incidents
• accident/incident involving death or injury to person or damage to property

Incident scene may be

• indoor or outdoor
• in a rural or urban environment.

Incident scene may be affected by

• prevailing weather and require additional resources to preserve and protect incident scene

Security of an incident scene may be affected by

• topography
• climatic conditions
• human interference
• animal interference
• preservation of life/property

Public safety risk factors include

• those factors at the incident scene that could impact on:
  - the safety of investigators
  - the security/preservation of the actual site
  - the security and preservation of situational evidence

Investigating incident scenes may include

• dangerous or distasteful conditions and may involve handling injured or deceased persons

Circumstances surrounding scene may include

• sequence of events
• possible causes
• people involved
• property involved
• victims
• suspects
• witnesses
• damage
• injury
• organisation personnel involved
• other agencies involved
• current status of investigation action taken to date

Tactical factors may include

• environmental circumstances
• chronology of events
• access to scene
• number of persons at scene
• availability of support services
• boundaries

Persons at incident scene may include

• incident scene specialists and forensic experts
• witnesses
• victims
• other bystanders
• police and emergency services
• media
• coroners
• pathologists
• medical practitioners
• undertakers
• forensic accountants
• information technology consultants, and
• legal officers

Activities at incident scenes may be recorded by

• running sheets
• exhibit logs
• receipts and personnel movement
• video photography

Physical evidence may include

• shoe impressions
• tyre prints
• skid marks
• fingerprints
• containers
• fibres
• flammable and combustible liquids
• tool marks
• bloodstains
• identifying numbers
• bodily fluids
• burn patterns

Methods of collection may include

• vacuuming
• tape lifts
• shovelling
• photographing
• casing

Methods of packaging may include

• metal containers
• plastic bags
• paper bags
• glass vials

Additional resources may include

• organisation personnel
• other organisation personnel
• expert personnel
• audio visual services
• emergency lighting
• forensic personnel

Relevant details from persons may include

• name
• contact details
• other details in accordance with standard operating procedures

Liaison with investigating officer may include

• professional and technical advice
• identification of avenues of inquiry
• significance of located evidence

Arrangements for scene access and egress

• clear brief as to who has control of access
• physical barriers may also be required
• roster guards
• limit entry to essential personnel
• delegation of authority to control entry
• record all persons who enter or depart the scene and reasons

Arrangements to protect integrity of evidence

• roster scene guards
• cover evidence may require removal of evidence to ensure its protection

Details of scene

• time
• date
• location
• damage to property
• injury to persons
• personnel present
• physical details of scene
• evidence

Evidence Guide

Critical Aspects of Evidence

Correct application of legislative requirements and organisation policies and procedures in all situations.

Underpinning Knowledge

• anti discrimination public safety
• appropriate use of interpreting services
• collection and recording of various types of evidence ranging from large objects to minute traces
• details of scene
• equal employment opportunity
• features and use of a variety of specialised equipment to search
• functions and roles of other professionals and experts
• incident scene protection and preservation
• indicators of emotional distress
• indicators of need for specialised investigations
• legislative requirements relating to occupational health and safety
• policies and procedures relating to occupational health and safety
• policies and procedures relating to recording details of persons
• public safety and duty of care at accident/incident scene
• recognition
• record and collect evidence
• shock
• taking and compiling statements
• taking of statements

Underpinning Skills

• accurate written recording and compilation of interviews and statements
• attention to detail
• implementing methodical and systematic approach
• listening to bystanders
• putting bystanders at ease
• questioning bystanders
• use of recording and specialised evidence collection
• equipment
• working with a variety of professionals

Resource implications

• No special requirements

Consistency in performance

• Evidence will need to be gathered over time in a range of actual and/or simulated environment

Context of assessment

• A real life incident, exercise or simulation, or series of tasks are required to demonstrate competence in this unit. This may involve setting scenarios to be completed either individually or as a member of a team.