Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:58 PM AWST

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Investigate fatal fires

Investigate fatal fires

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR608A
State Code
WG160
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
02/05/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/03/2013
Field of Education
Original Release Date
21/03/2013
Nominal Hours
35
Description
This unit covers the competency required to undertake an investigation of a fire involving a fatality/ies. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assess impact of fire on human remains
  • 1.1 Presence of human remains is identified and confirmed at the scene and processed in accordance with coronial/agency requirements
  • 1.2 Appropriate notifications (to coronial services, police etc.) are made in accordance with statutory and agency procedures
  • 1.3 Effect of heat range fire on human remains is assessed
  • 1.4 Visible burn patterns and injuries on human remains are identified, assessed and documented
  • 1.5 Origin and cause determination options are assessed
2. Examine factors impacting on origin and cause of death
  • 2.1 Human factors that may have prevented occupant/s escaping from the fire and products of combustion are examined
  • 2.2 Structural factors that may have impeded occupant egress from the structure are analysed
  • 2.3 Effectiveness and operation of early warning detection and suppression systems are assessed
  • 2.4 Observations regarding deceased’s clothing are made and recorded
  • 2.5 Observations of human behaviour before, during and after the fire are recorded
3. Implement procedures for recovery of human remains and report findings
  • 3.1 Occupational health and safety(OHS)procedures for removal of human remains are implemented
  • 3.2 Disaster victim identification procedures are implemented as required
  • 3.3 Methods of protecting human remains prior to removal from a fire scene are implemented
  • 3.4 Methods to ensure all human remains are collected from a fire scene are implemented
  • 3.5 Consequential damage to human remains is recorded and reported to the appropriate authority
  • 3.6 Human remains collected from a fire scene arerecorded according to agency procedures
  • 3.7 Appropriate techniques to minimise evidence deterioration are followed
  • 3.8 Appropriate techniques and equipment are used for scene analysis, reconstruction and testing of hypothesis
  • 3.9 Investigation report is completed and forwarded to appropriate authorities/stakeholders
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Effect of heat range fire on human remains may include:
Carboxyhemoglobin
Common injuries (pre and post fire)
Degrees of burns
Effects of products of combustion
Origin and cause determination may include:
Identification of ignition sources
Scene interpretation
Scene processing
Recording observations may include:
Audio
Computers
Notes
Photography (digital, multimedia, CCTV [closed circuit television], other media images)
Sketches and plans
Video
Occupational health and safety procedures include:
Biological hazards
Safe work practices and procedures
Safety equipment and clothing
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
apply a systematic approach to the investigation of fatal fires based on scientific method
apply relevant laws, legislation, codes of practice and standards in fire investigation and court procedures
interpret findings of forensic data and physical evidence analyses
conduct interviews and accurately record information.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of workplace and/or simulated situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace and in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to gathering and managing evidence
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of fire fatalities likely to occur for which evidence needs to be gathered and managed.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include a combination of:
case studies
demonstration
observation
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAY35 PUAFIR608 Investigate fatal fires Unit of competency
No information