Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:27 AM AWST

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Conduct initial investigation at incident scene

Conduct initial investigation at incident scene

Unit of competency
National Code
PUALAW002B
State Code
D5582
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
17/08/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/08/2014
Field of Education
091105 - Police Studies
Original Release Date
04/08/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit covers the competency required to gather and collate information and obvious and accessible physical evidence from the scene of an incident and identifying potential witnesses.Note: It does not cover the specialist skills required to interpret the evidence gathered, or the specialist skills required to gather specific evidence.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Conduct initial assessment of scene
  • 1.1 Scene is assessed with regard to occupational health and safety and all actions are undertaken in line with organisation's policies, procedures, guidelines and duty of care requirements.
  • 1.2 Communication is established with the senior investigating officer and liaison is maintained throughout the investigation.
  • 1.3 Circumstances surrounding the scene are ascertained from visual assessment and reports from other personnel.
  • 1.4 Scene boundary is defined/redefined as required to preserve physical evidence for collection.
  • 1.5 Obvious and accessible physical evidence is located and, where appropriate, protected from possible contamination.
2. Control integrity of scene
  • 2.1 Appropriate arrangements for scene access and egress are established and maintained.
  • 2.2 All non-essential persons are removed from the scene and relevant details are recorded accurately and legibly in accordance with organisation and regulatory procedures.
  • 2.3 Additional resources are identified and accessed to secure incident scene.
  • 2.4 The personal and health and safety needs of those involved in the incident are attended to.
3. Examine scene
  • 3.1 An appropriate search pattern is instigated in accordance with instructions from senior investigating officer to ensure all evidence is located and preserved.
  • 3.2 Details of the scene are recorded comprehensively and accurately in line with organisation's operating procedures.
  • 3.3 Evidence is located, collected, packaged, labelled and stored to ensure preservation for further post-scene examination.
  • 3.4 An accurate log of all evidence is maintained.
  • 3.5 Scenes are correctly assessed for future investigative requirements and appropriate persons notified.
4. Identify potential witnesses and initial statements recorded
  • 4.1 Bystanders are canvassed to identify potential witnesses.
  • 4.2 Details of potential witnesses are recorded.
  • 4.3 Appropriate recording practices are used that are in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements and organisation's policies and procedures.
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.
Initial investigation:
those enquiries conducted by the first public safety official on scene
Incident scene may include:
structural fire
wild fire
vehicle fire
crime scene
vehicle accident
natural disaster
industrial/mining accidents and incidents
accident/incident involving death or injury to person or damage to property
Incident scene may be:
indoor or outdoor
in a rural or urban environment
Incident scene may be affected by:
prevailing weather and require additional resources to preserve and protect incident scene
Security of an incident scene may be affected by:
topography
climatic conditions
human interference
animal interference
preservation of life/property
Public safety risk factors include:
those factors at the incident scene that could impact on: the safety of investigators; the security/preservation of the actual site
the security and preservation of situational evidence
Investigating incident scenes may include:
dangerous or distasteful conditions and may involve handling injured or deceased persons
Circumstances surrounding scene may include:
sequence of events
possible causes
people involved
property involved
victims
suspects
witnesses
damage
injury
organisation personnel involved
other agencies involved
current status of investigation
action taken to date
Tactical factors may include:
environmental circumstances
chronology of events
access to scene
number of persons at scene
availability of support services
boundaries
Persons at incident scene may include:
Incident scene specialists and forensic experts; witnesses
victims
other bystanders; police and emergency services; media; coroners
pathologists
medical practitioners
undertakers; forensic accountants
information technology consultants and legal officers
Activities at incident scenes may be recorded by:
running sheets
exhibit logs
receipts and personnel movement
video photography
Physical evidence may include:
shoe impressions
tyre prints
skid marks
fingerprints
containers
fibres
flammable and combustible liquids
tool marks
bloodstains
identifying numbers
bodily fluids
burn patterns
Methods of collection may include:
vacuuming
tape lifts
shovelling
photographing
casing
Methods of packaging may include:
metal containers
plastic bags
paper bags
glass vials
Additional resources may include:
organisation personnel
other organisation personnel
expert personnel
audio visual services
emergency lighting
forensic personnel
Relevant details from persons may include:
name
contact details
other details in accordance with standard operating procedures
Liaison with investigating officer may include:
professional and technical advice
identification of avenues of inquiry
significance of located evidence
Arrangements for scene access and egress:
clear brief as to who has control of access
physical barriers may also be required
roster guards
limit entry to essential personnel
delegation of authority to control entry
record all persons who enter or depart the scene and reasons
Arrangements to protect integrity of evidence:
roster scene guards
cover evidence
may require removal of evidence to ensure its protection
Details of scene:
time
date
location
damage to property
injury to persons
personnel present
physical details of scene
evidence
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Correct application of legislative requirements and organisation policies and procedures in all situations.

Consistency in performance
Evidence will need to be gathered over time in a range of actual and/or simulated environment.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
A real life incident, exercise or simulation, or series of tasks are required to demonstrate competence in this unit. This may involve setting scenarios to be completed either individually or as a member of a team.
Specific resources for assessment
No special requirements.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAY30 PUALAW002 Conduct initial investigation at incident scene Unit of competency