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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the evidential value of forensic biology evidence 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
242710  Demonstrate an understanding of the evidential value of forensic biology evidence 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Forensic Science 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is intended for learners who will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of biological examinations in a forensic science environment. It is intended to provide fundamental knowledge of the probative value of forensic biological evidence that is collected, packaged and stored, and ultimately admissible to a court of law as evidence towards serving justice.

A person accredited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Apply the collection process of forensic biological evidence in a structured scenario.
  • Explain the preservation and packaging procedures of forensic biological evidence.
  • Assess contamination risks of forensic biological evidence. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Unit Standard: Demonstrate an understanding of the field of forensic biology.
  • Knowledge of biology at NQF level 4.
  • Knowledge of physical science at NQF level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply the collection process of forensic biological evidence in a structured scenario. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Evidence refers to biological evidence for the purpose of forensic examination. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The value of evidence is determined in a structured scenario. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Evidence must include, but are not limited to the following types: blood, semen, body fluids and hair.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A crime scene is evaluated in order to collect evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A sampling technique is selected for use in a given structured scenario. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sampling techniques must include, but are not limited to: blood, semen and hair.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the preservation and packaging procedures of forensic biological evidence. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Procedures include, but are not limited to: standard operating procedures as prescribed by different organisations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principles of preservation of biological exhibit material are explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles must include, but are not limited to: contamination, storage, environmental, and transport.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Elements of packaging of forensic biological evidence are described with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Elements must include, but are not limited to: packing material, environmental factors, storage, contamination, and chain of custody.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The critical factors that contribute to contamination during preservation and packaging are categorised according to their characteristics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors must include, but are not limited to: environmental and human.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Assess contamination risks of forensic biological evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The critical factors that contribute to contamination during collection are assessed to determine their impact on the evidential value. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors must include, but are not limited to: environmental and human.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The critical factors that contribute to contamination risks during preservation and packaging are assessed in terms of their impact on the evidential value. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The laboratory environment is assessed in order to identify and minimise contamination risks. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual who wishes to be assessed against this unit standard (including assessment of RPL) may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA. Assessors must be competent in the outcome of the Unit Standard.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the relevant ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Principles of forensic investigation.
  • Justice system.
  • South African Law of Evidence.
  • Law enforcement agencies.
  • Crime scene investigation.
  • Scientific process.
  • Occupational health and safety.
  • Current Human Tissue Act.
  • Criminal Procedures Act (Act 51 of 1977). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions, using critical thinking, have been made. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical, and/or language skills in the modes of written and/or oral presentation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, show responsibility towards the environment and the health of others. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
  • Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Glossary of terminology

    Forensic biology:
  • Crime samples analysed by biochemical techniques for the purpose of identity determination in order to serve justice.

    Forensic biological evidence:
  • Evidence that contains biological material, or traces of biological material, that can be analysed by forensic techniques in order to determine identity.

    Forensic biological examination:
  • Scientific techniques used to analyse biological evidence material for forensic purposes.

    Sampling techniques:
  • Techniques used to collect forensic biological material from a crime scene.

    Contamination:
  • Traces of biological material, or foreign material, transferred to other forensic exhibits due to inadvertent, deliberate or accidental causes.

    List of abbreviations

    DNA
  • deoxyribonucleic acid

    Legal

    Specific legislation recorded in this unit standard is left open ended, for additional legislation to be assessed. Wherever legislation is referred to in this unit standard, current legislation is implied.
  • Section 37 of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act 51 of 1977).
  • Section 150 to 207 of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act 51 of 1977).
  • Section 208 to 253 of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act 51 of 1977).
  • Sections 212(4)(a) and 212(8)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act 51 of 1977).
  • Bill of Rights as defined in the Constitution of the RSA Act (Act 108 of 1996).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993).
  • Section 1 of the Anatomical Donations and Post-Mortem Examinations Act (Act 24 of 1970).
  • Human Tissue Act (Act 65 of 1983).
  • South African Law of Evidence. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  57651   National Certificate: Forensic Science  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Elective  58183   National Diploma: Forensic Pathology Support  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.