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.
Assignment instructions may include:
assignment tasks and procedures
client brief and details
incident and security risk response procedures
investigation purpose and objectives
investigation timeframe
methods of investigation
personal presentation requirements
reporting and documentation requirements
resource and equipment allocations.
Relevant informationmay include:
acceptable modes of enquiry
audio or video recordings
cost schedules
evidence
investigative limitations and exclusions
maps, plans or schematics
photographs or drawings
sources of information and contact requirements
summary of case history.
Legislative requirementsmay 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
surveillance and listening devices.
Relevant personsmay include:
client
industry or government representatives
police
security personnel
supervisor or manager
technical specialist.
Resources and equipmentmay include:
35mm camera
binoculars
computers, computer applications, modems
diary, note pads and pens
digital imaging equipment
e-mail, internet
facsimile
guise, torch, mirrors
measuring tape
mobile phone
night vision equipment
own time management
pager
personal hygiene aids
telephone directories, maps, street directories
telephoto lens
transcript recorder
transport
tripod
video camera
voice recorder.
Limitationsmay relate to:
compliance with safety requirements
current competence level
difficulties in meeting timelines
inability to fulfil own role and responsibilities
inadequate information to plan investigation
lack of resources
licensing requirements
technical expertise
understanding of assignment instructions
understanding of legal requirements.
Method of investigationmay be:
factual investigation
surveillance
combination of factual investigation and surveillance.
Communication techniques may involve:
active listening
being non-judgemental
being respectful and non-discriminatory
control of tone of voice and body language
culturally aware and sensitive use of language and concepts
demonstrating flexibility and willingness to negotiate
effective verbal and non-verbal communication
maintaining professionalism
providing and receiving constructive feedback
providing sufficient time for questions and responses
reflection, summarising and paraphrasing
two-way interaction
use of plain English
use of positive, confident and cooperative language.
Background informationmay relate to:
legislation relating to conduct of surveillance
readily accessible information provided by relevant persons
requirements for collecting evidence
research and preliminary enquiries
research of public records
use of surveillance equipment
verbal details and documents supplied by client.
Sourcesmay include:
colleagues, supervisor, manager
government departments or agencies
industry networks
informants
internet
interviews, meetings
library
police
related records, reports, case notes
specialists.
Methods for collecting informationmay include:
advertising
electronic
interview
photographed and filmed evidence
pretext inquiries
questioning
researching public records
surveillance
testing of rumour
undercover operations
use of informants.
Business equipment and technologymay include:
computers and software applications
databases
email
personal schedulers
printers.

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:
planning an investigation to meet client requirements within resource, time and legislative compliance parameters, and incorporating contingency measures to ensure safety and evidence is preserved
accurately interpreting assignment instructions and relevant information to enable a full understanding of the scope and objectives of the investigation
using reliable information sources and valid information gathering methods to plan investigative activities in compliance with legal requirements
using a computer record and document investigation plan and maintaining information with due regard to client confidentiality
selecting a preferred investigative method and alternative options based on an assessment of all gathered information, viable investigative techniques and available resources and equipment.
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 a registered provider of assessment services
access to a suitable venue and equipment
access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures
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 should be assessed using 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.