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

Evaluate bloodstain pattern evidence 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243245  Evaluate bloodstain pattern 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 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  5 
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 
Learners credited with this unit standard are able to recognize bloodstain patterns found on incident scenes to be used as a forensic tool during the investigation process and possible legal proceedings. The recognised pattern will also be used in the evaluation thereof, which will lead to the interpretation of evidence in an incident scene. This unit standard will contribute to the recognition of bloodstain patterns to aid analysis.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Analyse the bloodstain pattern evidence in a given incident scene.
  • Determine the exact position of each identified well-formed bloodstain.
  • Classify bloodstain pattern evidence.
  • Determine the causing mechanism of the bloodstain pattern.
  • Evaluate the dynamics of blood droplets during flight and impact. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematics on NQF level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    In this unit standard given incident scene may refer to but is not limited to a structured scenario, a case study and a virtual presentation. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Analyse the bloodstain pattern evidence in a given incident scene. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Analysis should take into account the physical appearance of the evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Direction of impact is determined from the shape of resulting bloodstain or blood pattern. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Number of events is determined in order to interpret bloodstain pattern evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Sequence of events is determined in order to interpret bloodstain pattern evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Physiological altered bloodstains are identified in order to interpret bloodstain pattern evidence. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Determine the exact position of each identified well-formed bloodstain. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Exact position refers to the pinpointing of the origin of the stain.
  • Well-formed bloodstain refers to a clear defined bloodstain. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The spatial position of the well-formed bloodstain and bloodstain pattern is identified in relation to the incident scene. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The use of fixed points in the measurement of the x-, y- and z-axis of bloodstain patterns is demonstrated in order to interpret the given incident scene. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The use of a data table to record measurement related information of bloodstain patterns is demonstrated in a given incident scene. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Measuring techniques are compared in order to differentiate between them. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Techniques should include the use of scales.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Classify bloodstain pattern evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Bloodstain evidence is classified according to the Radziki model. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Bloodstain evidence is classified based on the force applied to the source of blood. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Bloodstain evidence is classified based on spatter and non-spatter stains. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Incident scene related spatter and artefacts are distinguished in terms of their differences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The history of bloodstain pattern analysis is explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Determine the causing mechanism of the bloodstain pattern. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Cast-off stains are identified in order to determine the causing mechanism. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The angle and direction of projected blood is analysed in order to determine the origin of the force of the object. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Patterns are evaluated in order to differentiate between impact and contact stains. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Patterns include, but are not limited to the flow and void patterns.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Blood dripping into blood is distinguished for interpreting purposes. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Evaluate the dynamics of blood droplets during flight and impact. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The phases of impact of a droplet on a target surface is analysed in order to gather evidence. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Phases include spherical, contact, displacement, dispersion, retraction etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact angle is analysed in order to determine the influence thereof on the resulting stain. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Liquid into liquid impact is determined for the purpose of analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The influence of the target surface on the resulting stain is determined for the purpose of analysis. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terminology includes but is not limited to: angle of impact, arterial spurts, atomized blood, spatter, clot , capillary action, cast-off stains, directional angle, blowback effect, drip patterns, expiratory blood, flight path, area of origin, projected blood, void, skeletonized stain, passive flow, pattern transfer, swipe, wipe, velocity impact spatter.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

    Assessor must be competent in the outcomes of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Terminology:
  • Angle of impact
  • Arterial spurts
  • Atomized blood
  • Spatter
  • Clot
  • Capillary action
  • Cast-off stains
  • Directional angle
  • Blowback effect
  • Drip patterns
  • Expiratory blood
  • Flight path
  • Area of origin
  • Projected blood
  • Void
  • Skeletonized stain
  • Passive flow
  • Pattern transfer
  • Wipe
  • Velocity impact spatter

    Relevant sections of the following Acts:

    > The Human Tissue Act 65 of 1983
    > The National Health Act 61 of 2003
    > The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
    > The Occupational Health And Safety Act 85 of1993
  • The ways and methods used to investigate an incident scene.
  • The function and implications of incorrect use, of software and calculations.
  • Chain of custody and incident scene analysis.
  • The judicial procedure pertaining to forensic evidence.
  • Evidential value.
  • Quality assurance.
  • Blood as medium.
  • Examination of forensic biological incident scenes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Utilise appropriate standard operating procedures in the field of bloodstain pattern analysis to achieve desired outcomes, in line with international accepted forensic practice. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team within the process of bloodstain pattern analysis. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise oneself and one's activities so that all requirements are met in achieving competence in bloodstain pattern analysis. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, evaluate, organize and critically evaluate information related to bloodstain pattern analysis so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with others within the process of bloodstain pattern analysis, as well as external role-players in order to achieve the aims of documentation, report writing and expert witness testimony utilizing the modes of oral and written communication. 

    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 
    Supplementary information:
  • Abbreviations and Glossary of terms:

    Definitions:
  • Incident: The overall crime or occurrence is the incident. The incident encompasses all actions related to the occurrence. Within this incident there are specific events.
  • Event: Each event is some part of the occurrence. Each event is defined by small, specific actions taken that are in turn supported by the presence of specific items 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  57977   National Certificate: Forensic Biology  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  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.