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 2830.1-1985 Good laboratory practice - Chemical analysis
AS 2162.1-1996 Verification and use of volumetric apparatus - General - Volumetric glassware
AS 2134.1-1999 Recommended practice for chemical analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry - Flame atomic absorption spectrometry
ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 Uncertainty of measurement - Part 3 Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM)
Eurachem/CITAC Guide CG4 Quantifying uncertainty in analytical measurement
calibration and maintenance schedules
cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements
data quality procedures
enterprise procedures, SOPs and operating manuals
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures
forensic sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport, storage and disposal)
incident and accident/injury reports
judicial and enterprise protocols
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
national measurement regulations and guidelines
principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)
production and laboratory schedules
quality manuals, equipment and procedure manuals
quality system and continued improvement processes
safety requirements for equipment, materials or products
schematics, work flows and laboratory layouts
statutory and enterprise work health and safety (WHS) requirements
stock records and inventory
test procedures (validated and authorised)
training program contents
waste minimisation, containment, processing and disposal procedures
Complex testing on forensic samples
Complex testing may include techniques and methods such as:
infra-red and ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectrometric techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence and (XRF) neutron activation analysis (NAA)
chromatographic techniques, such as gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), ion chromatography (IC) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
electrometric techniques, such as ion selective electrodes, voltammetry (polarography) and anodic stripping voltammetry
electrophoretic techniques, such as capillary electrophoresis
electrometric methods, such as anodic stripping voltammetry
molecular techniques, such as DNA profiling and polymerase chain reaction
scanning electron microscopy
Validation checks and/or calibration standards
Validation checks and/or calibration standards may include:
positive and known positive controls
negative controls, such as substrate blanks
recovery check controls
certified reference materials
Reviewing laboratory methodology and test results
Reviewing laboratory methodology and test results may include:
assessing the methodology for appropriate application to evidence
assessing the chain of custody and sample handling to ensure integrity
assessing testing procedures for compliance with quality system and judicial requirements
evaluating interpretation of test results for validity
Hazards
Hazards may include:
electric shock
biohazards:
microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, and human or animal tissue and fluids
mycotoxins
chemicals:
acids (e.g. sulphuric, perchloric and hydrofluoric)
heavy metals and pesticides
anions (e.g. fluoride)
hydrocarbons (e.g. mono-aromatics)
radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray and neutron)
sharps and broken glassware
aerosols from broken centrifuge tubes and pipetting
flammable liquids and gases
cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen
fluids under pressure, such as hydrogen in gas liquid chromatography and acetylene in atomic absorption spectrometry
sources of ignition
high temperature ashing processes
disturbance or interruption of services
Hazard control measures
Hazard control measures may include:
use of MSDS
labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials
personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, and coveralls
use of fumehoods, direct extraction of vapours and gases
use of appropriate equipment, such as biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets
handling and storage of all hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer instructions
minimising exposure to radiation ionising such as lasers, electromagnetic and UV radiation
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:
interpret client request, and select and perform test methods to the standard required in judicial procedures
sequence and select forensic sample techniques and methods to maximise recovery of sample materials
interpret and draw conclusions from complex forensic testing results
communicate any problems to a supervisor or industry professional using current and appropriate terminology
maintain security, integrity and traceability of forensic samples/evidence, sub-samples, test data/results and documentation
report results of forensic examinations and tests according to judicial and enterprise protocols.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSL977003A Contribute to the validation of test methods
MSL975024A Locate, record and collect forensic samples
Resources may include:
standard laboratory with analytical instruments
laboratory reagents and equipment
enterprise procedures and standard methods.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of test data/results/reports obtained by the candidate over a period of time to check accuracy, consistency and timeliness of results
review of workplace documentation and reports completed by the candidate
observation of candidate testing a range of forensic samples/evidence
feedback from clients, 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.