Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Legislative requirements may relate to:
applicable commonwealth, state and territory legislation which affects investigative work such as:
workplace safety
environmental issues
equal employment opportunity
industrial relations
anti-discrimination and diversity
Australian standards and quality assurance
authority to conduct investigation
award and enterprise agreements
evidence collection
freedom of information
licensing arrangements and certification requirements
privacy requirements
relevant industry codes of practice
restrictions in the use of recording devices.
Assignment instructions may include:
assignment tasks and procedures
assignment timeframe
client information
investigation purpose and objective
methods of investigation
reporting and documentation requirements
resource and equipment allocations.
Relevant personsmay include:
client
industry or government representatives
police
security personnel
supervisor or manager
technical specialist.
Resources and equipment
35mm and video cameras
compass
lap-top computer
mobile phones, pagers
personnel
scales
scanners (audio, document, computer)
tape measures
transport
voice recorder, transcript recorder
writing instruments.
Technical specialistsmay be:
accountants
engineers
forensic experts
information technology experts
photographers
solicitors, lawyers
specialist investigators
undercover operatives.
Information sources
colleagues, supervisor, management
government departments or agencies
industry networks
industry specialists
internet and other electronic sources
interviews and meetings
library
newspapers and other print media
photographs
plans, map and schematic drawings
police
professional bodies
records, reports, case notes.
Information systemsmay depend on:
importance of information
reliability of information
sensitivity of information
source or origin of information
where information is to be disseminated.
Evidencemay be:
circumstantial
direct
documentary
hearsay
opinion
physical.
Methodsfor collecting informationmay include:
electronic
meetings and interviews
photograph and filmed evidence
pretext inquiries
questioning
researching public records
taking statements
testing of rumour
undercover operations
use of informants.
Communication skillsmay include:
active listening
comprehension
negotiation
note-taking
positive body language
questioning
reading accurately
speaking clearly
summarising
writing.
Interpersonal techniquesmay include:
active listening
being respectful and non-discriminatory to others
control of tone of voice and body language
demonstrating flexibility and willingness to negotiate
interpreting non-verbal and verbal messages
maintaining professionalism
providing and receiving constructive feedback
questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
two-way communication
use of communication appropriate to cultural differences
use of positive, confident and cooperative language.
Social and cultural differencesmay relate to:
dress and personal presentation
food
language
religion
social conventions
traditional practices
values and beliefs.
Available factsmay relate to:
accident reports
claims
employer accident records
machinery reports
medical reports
personal records
personnel records
policies
travel documents.
Formatmay relate to:
accuracy
common industry terminology
enclosures and attachments
length
sequence of coverage
style
use of abbreviations
use of appendices
use of plain English.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:
using reliable sources and methods to gather information that is factual, lawful and relevant to the investigation in compliance with legislative and client requirements
conducting interviews and meetings using appropriate interpersonal techniques and communication skills, and taking accurate and complete contemporaneous notes and statements
evaluating and presenting gathered information in an appropriate format within designated timeframes
collecting, storing and maintaining evidence in accordance with evidence management principles.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment includes:
a setting in the workplace or environment that simulates the conditions of performance described in the elements, performance criteria and range statement.
Resource implications for assessment include:
access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures
access to a registered provider of assessment services
access to a suitable venue and equipment
assessment instruments including personal planner and assessment record book
work schedules, organisational policies and duty statements.
Reasonable adjustments must be made to assessment processes where required for people with disabilities. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.
Method of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed using the following methods of assessment:
observation of processes and procedures
questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the competency being assessed. In all cases where practical assessment is used, it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.
Oral questioning or written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a choice between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.