-SQA-SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION GENERAL INFORMATION JULY

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1 -SQA-SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION GENERAL INFORMATION -Unit number Unit title- -Superclass category- -Date of publication- (month and year) -Originating centre for unit- FORENSIC SCIENCE QH JULY 1997 SQA DESCRIPTION- GENERAL COMPETENCE FOR UNIT: Explaining and evaluating the contribution of forensic science to operational policing situations. OUTCOMES: 1. explain the contribution of the physical examiner to the investigation of road traffic offences; 2. explain the contribution of the forensic chemist to the investigation of drug-related offences; 3. explain the contribution of the forensic scientist to the investigation of offences involving firearms and explosives; 4. explain the contribution of the forensic biologist to the investigation of offences against the person. CREDIT VALUE: 2 HN Credits ACCESS STATEMENT: All candidates at Scottish centres should be serving police officers who have passed all three parts of the Police (Scotland) Examination or have obtained an equivalent qualification. Candidates in Northern Ireland will be admitted on terms agreed by the RUC and the University of Ulster

2 Additional copies of this unit can be obtained from: The Committee and Administration Unit, SQA, Hanover House, 24 Douglas Street, Glasgow G2 7NQ, (Tel: ). At the time of publication the cost is 1.50 per unit (minimum order 5.00). 2

3 HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION STATEMENT OF STANDARDS Unit number: Unit title: FORENSIC SCIENCE Acceptable performance in this Unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the standards set out in this part of the specification. All sections of the statement of standards are mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to SQA. OUTCOME 1. EXPLAIN THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE PHYSICAL EXAMINER TO THE INVESTIGATION OF ROAD TRAFFIC OFFENCES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (d) The examination of vehicle paint and glass fragments is described accurately. Specialist type and metallurgical procedures are explained in terms of their relevance to the causes of vehicle accidents. Techniques for raising and preserving marks and impressions are described clearly. Tachographic data is explained in terms of its scope of application for evidential purposes. RANGE STATEMENT The range for this outcome is fully expressed in the performance criteria. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written and/or oral evidence which satisfies all performance criteria and range. 3

4 OUTCOME 2. EXPLAIN THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE FORENSIC CHEMIST TO THE INVESTIGATION OF DRUG-RELATED OFFENCES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (d) The main drugs of abuse are classified accurately and their identifying characteristics are described clearly. Analysis of post-mortem samples in drug-related cases is explained correctly in terms of evidential value. Indicators of possible alcohol and drug impairment are identified correctly. Analysis of drink driving tests is explained accurately. RANGE STATEMENT The range for this outcome is fully expressed in the performance criteria. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written and/or oral evidence which satisfies all performance criteria and range. OUTCOME 3. EXPLAIN THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE FORENSIC SCIENTIST TO THE INVESTIGATION OF OFFENCES INVOLVING FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA The process of ballistics examination is explained accurately. The nature, causes and effects of suspicious fires are explained clearly. Factors involved in the scientific investigation of explosions are explained comprehensively. RANGE STATEMENT Ballistics examination: internal; external; terminal; forensic. Investigation of explosions: nature and type; construction and manufacture; testing of residues. 4

5 EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written and/or oral evidence which satisfies all performance criteria and range. OUTCOME 4. EXPLAIN THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE FORENSIC BIOLOGIST TO THE INVESTIGATION OF OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (d) (e) (f) The taking and testing of blood samples is explained correctly in terms of investigative value. Processes of species identification and typing of blood are explained clearly. Factors relating to the search for saliva stains and the grouping of saliva are explained clearly. Techniques for genetic profiling are explained correctly in terms of their investigative value. Methods of search for semen samples and identification of semen traces are explained clearly. Techniques of examination in cases of sexual assault are correctly described in terms of their investigative value. RANGE STATEMENT The range of this outcome is fully expressed in the performance criteria. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written and/or oral evidence which satisfies all performance criteria and range. MERIT STATEMENT: To gain a pass in this unit, a candidate must meet the standards set out in the outcomes, performance criteria, range statements and evidence requirements. To achieve a merit in this unit, a candidate must demonstrate a superior or more sophisticated level of performance. In this unit this might be shown in the following ways: (d) (e) by displaying higher level skills of analysis; by demonstrating effective independent work; by providing more than the minimum evidence requirements; by providing evidence of sustained use of relevant and topical examples; by demonstrating effective application of outcomes to realistic situations. 5

6 ASSESSMENT In order to achieve this unit, candidates are required to present sufficient evidence that they have met all the performance criteria for each outcome within the range specified. Details of these requirements are given for each outcome. The assessment instruments used should follow the general guidance offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) assessment model and an integrative approach to assessment is encouraged. (See references at the end of support notes). Accurate records should be made of the assessment instruments used showing how evidence is generated for each outcome and giving marking schemes and/or checklists, etc. Records of candidates achievements should be kept. These records will be available for external verification. SPECIAL NEEDS Proposals to modify outcomes, range statements or agreed assessment arrangements should be discussed in the first place with the external verifier. Copyright SQA 1997 Please note that this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided that: (i) (ii) no profit is derived from the reproduction; if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged. 6

7 HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION SUPPORT NOTES Unit number: Unit title: FORENSIC SCIENCE SUPPORT NOTES: This part of the unit specification is offered as guidance. None of the sections of the support notes is mandatory. NOTIONAL DESIGN LENGTH: SQA allocates a notional design length to a unit on the basis of time estimated for achievement of the stated standards by a candidate whose starting point is as described in the access statement. The notional design length for this unit is 80 hours. The use of notional design length for programme design and timetabling is advisory only. PURPOSE The unit aims to provide an understanding of the processes and techniques of forensic science and how these contribute to the investigation of specific areas of offences by police officers. CONTENT/CONTEXT Corresponding to outcomes 1-4: 1. Road traffic offences: the role of the physical examiner, excluding drink/driving offences. 2. Drug-related offences: the role of the forensic chemist/toxicologist, including drink/driving and the analysis of toxicological samples removed at post-mortem examinations. 3. Firearms and explosives: the role of the firearms examiner and forensic scientists in relation to ballistics, suspicious fires and explosions. 4. Offences against the person, including sexual offences; the role of the forensic biologist, including genetic profiling (DNA). Scenes of crime management as it relates to the various types of offences should form an integral part of all outcomes. The focus should be on giving operational police officers an awareness of the role of the forensic scientist and providing them with sufficient knowledge to interact with the forensic science department, rather than presenting information from a scientific stance. 7

8 REFERENCES 1. Guide to unit writing, SQA, 1993 (Code: A018). 2. Guide to assessment, SQA, 1993 (Code: B005). 3. Guide to certification, SQA, 1996 (Code: F025). 4. Notes for unit writers, SQA, 1995 (Code: A041). For details of other SQA publications, please contact staff in the Committee and Administration Unit (Tel: ) who can supply you with a copy of the publication list (Code: X037). Copyright SQA 1997 Please note that this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided that: (i) (ii) no profit is derived from the reproduction; if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged. 8