Unit title
CN 403
/ Undertake forensic examinations at scenes of incidentsSummary
This unit is about undertaking a forensic examination at the scene of an incident and collecting forensic evidence and intelligence. In examining the scene you will need to determine the types of examination that are necessary, use suitable examination and investigation techniques and locate and record potential evidence. You will also need to establish and maintain the continuity and integrity of items. It includes the recording of all relevant information and intelligence relating to the scene examination, evidence collection and completion of the examination.Maintaining your own health and safety, and also that of others, together with maintaining the integrity and continuity of forensic materials is of paramount importance.
There are four elements:
1 / Establish the requirements of the examination2 / Examine the scene and collect potential evidence
3 / Identify and assess information for potential forensic intelligence
4 / Complete the examination
Skills for Justice / Page 1
National Occupational Standards for Forensic Science / Final Version Approved October 2008
Element
1
/ Establish the requirements of the examinationPerformance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1 / confirm with relevant personnel the circumstances of the incident, including its nature and the known sequence of events2 / identify correctly the forensic strategy, confirming forensic investigative needs
3 / agree with relevant personnel the activities required, including the priorities and sequencing necessary to maximise the collection of potential evidence
4 / identify correctly any circumstances requiring additional expertise and facilities, and ensure that consequent arrangements are made where necessary
5 / ensure that the facilities and equipment required for the forensic examination are available and in working order, addressing any problems correctly and promptly
6 / confirm clearly and accurately the types and sequence of necessary examinations, where relevant, with the appropriate personnel, providing advice where required regarding the requirements when collecting materials and recording notes
7 / establish correctly the possibility of linked scenes, and arrange for the necessary consequent action
Element
2
/ Examine the scene and collect potential evidencePerformance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1 / use examination techniques that are appropriate for the scene, circumstances of the incident and for optimising the recovery of potential evidence, and are in line with the agreed forensic strategy2 / use examination techniques in a way which ensures that potential evidence is preserved, and which minimises the possibility of contamination, cross-contamination, degradation, damage and loss
3 / identify any potential hazards to safety linked to collecting potential evidence, and take the necessary actions to minimise any associated risks
4 / locate, prioritise, record and recoverpotential evidence in a timely manner, and in line with the agreed forensic strategy, timeframeand with operating procedures
5 / work in co-operation with other relevant personnel
6 / handle, package, seal, label and record items and samples correctly, and in a manner which prevents contamination,cross-contamination, loss or degradation of potential evidence
7 / record all relevant information in relation to the examination and collection of potential evidence, ensuring that it is accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous
8 / ensure that examinations of scenes are undertaken in a manner which minimises the risk to the safety of all personnel at the scene
9 / maintain effective communications with relevant personnel concerning the progress of the examination
Element
3
/ Identify and assess information for potential forensic intelligencePerformance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1 / review the scene and identify any aspects which appear inconsistentor out of context with the environment and circumstances of the incident2 / seek an explanation, where possible, of any aspects which appear to be inconsistent or out of context, and assess whether the explanation accounts satisfactorily for the aspects identified
3 / identify any patterns, relationships or trends from the information at the scene, relevant to the forensic examination
4 / review the potential importance of the information as intelligence to support the objectives of the investigation
5 / ensure that the intelligence is passed on to the appropriate persons promptly and accurately
6 / record intelligence accurately, comprehensively and contemporaneously
Element
4
/ Complete the examinationPerformance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1 / review the scene examination to ensure that all the necessary actions have been taken2 / formulate aninitial interpretation(s), justifying this from a consideration of the findings from your examination of the scene and any relevant further information
3 / review your interpretation and assess the need for further forensic action, progressing this promptly and correctly, where necessary
4 / review, where appropriate, the forensic strategy and identify the need for further examination and/or additional resources, including specialists, and take the necessary actions
5 / report your findings accurately and clearly to the appropriate person(s)
6 / establish correctly the priority for the submission of items and forensic samples for analysis, where relevant and within your authority
7 / establish and maintain the continuity and integrity of potential evidence in line with operating requirements
8 / communicate the progress and completion of the examination to the relevant people at the appropriate time
9 / record all relevant information relating to the examination accurately, comprehensively and contemporaneously
10 / communicate and progress appropriate cleaning procedures where relevant, in line with legal and operational requirements, and your own level of authority
Unit
CN 403
/Undertake forensic examinations at scenes of incidents
Knowledge and Understanding
To meet the standard, you need to know and understand
Legal and organisational requirements
1 / the implications of current law, policies, operating procedures and guidelinesrelevant to undertaking forensic examinations at scenes of incidents2 / the implications of current, relevant law, policies and procedures relating to health and safety, information and data handling, human rights and the criminal justice system
3 / your levels of authority, skills and ability, and the actions necessary should these be exceeded
Forensic examinations
4 / the principles and methods involved in the forensic investigative process, including the use and relevance of the scientific investigative work that needs to be undertaken5 / how to establish the details of the case, the information needed to plan the scientific investigative work, and the importance of this
6 / why it is important to assess the effect of forensic investigative work upon potential evidence and on other evidence types, and how to determine the most appropriate examination methods to use
7 / the operational and scientific factors to consider when planning the preservation, recovery, packaging and transportation of forensic items, and the extent and range of facilities and equipment available
8 / how to define and how to establish access to the scene
9 / how to sequence and prioritise the forensic investigative work
10 / how to select, prepare and use the range of equipment, consumables and reagents that may be needed to preserve, recover and examine potential evidence within your area of operations, and how to address any faults with the equipment
11 / how to avoid jeopardising the integrity of potential evidence
12 / how to identify contamination/cross-contamination issues and how to address them
13 / how to determine the most appropriate recovery and examination method(s) to suit different situations and different evidence types
14 / how to identify all relevant evidence types
15 / how to perform effective preservation, recovery and examination techniques, and how to preserve, recover, package and transfer potential evidence avoiding contamination, cross-contamination and loss or degradation of evidence
Unit
CN 403
/Undertake forensic examinations at scenes of incidents
Knowledge and Understanding (continued)
Forensic examinations
16 / when reference samples are required, and the importance of obtaining relevant reference samples and how to do this17 / the time which each preservation, recovery and examination method is likely to take
18 / how to recognise and resolve problems during the scene investigation process, including problems concerned with preservation of potential evidence, transportation, co-ordination with other scene personnel, welfare, time constraints, prevailing weather conditions, security, resources, safety and the risk of contamination
19 / the nature of linked scenes and the need to consider linked scenes
20 / screening methods, presumptive and physical tests for potential evidential material, including sampling techniques
Information, communication and intelligence
21 / how to establish valid and reliable information about the incident, and how to form an initial proposition22 / the importance of recognising and taking account of any inconsistent information gained during the scene investigation
23 / the principles and factors involved in processing, evaluating and interpreting the results of the scene examination
24 / the difference between forensic information and intelligence, types of forensic intelligence and the importance of capturing intelligence
25 / the principal roles and responsibilities of the different organisations and personnel that may be involved in the investigation
26 / how your own role relates to that of others involved in the forensic investigation
27 / how to develop links and relationships with other personnel involved with the investigation and the protocols for doing this, including the communications systems available, how to make best use of them, and who to inform regarding information and intelligence
Recording information, communications and intelligence
28 / how to identify what information and intelligence to record and how it should be recorded, including the available recording systems and how to use them29 / the importance of making contemporaneous, comprehensive and accurate notes, and why it is important to record information and intelligence in a format suitable for further use
Health and safety
30 / how to undertake a risk assessment and the importance of risk control measures, including informing others when hazardous examinations are taking place31 / types of personal protective equipment, and how and when these should be used
Unit
CN 403
/Undertake forensic examinations at scenes of incidents
Knowledge and Understanding (continued)
Identifying operational threats and risks
32 / the principal types of cleaning procedures used at scenes of incidents, and the materials which they address33 / the difference between threats and risks
34 / how to identify potential threats and risks,the types of available information which are required to identify these, and the actions appropriate to minimising such risks
Unit title
CN 403
/ Undertake forensic examinations at scenes of incidentsEvidence requirements
To meet the standard for this unit, you must demonstrate that you:
1)Fulfil consistently the requirements set out under the performance criteria,
2)Possess and are capable of applying the required aspects of knowledge and understanding.
The amount of evidence and appropriate number of assessments are to be discussed and agreed with your assessor. These will be dependent upon the nature of your work and your performance, and will be that necessary to assure your assessor that you demonstrate the above.
Use of simulation
The use of simulation is not allowed for any performance evidence within this unit.
Skills for Justice / Page 1National Occupational Standards for Forensic Science / Final Version Approved October 2008