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

Perform bloodstain spatter pattern analysis 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243246  Perform bloodstain spatter pattern analysis 
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 apply scientific principles when conducting bloodstain patterns analysis. Scientific principles refer to both the mathematical and physical science principles applicable to bloodstain pattern analysis. Learners will be able to assess blood patterns at crime scenes in order to be used as a forensic tool. These competencies will also enable learners to assist law enforcement in their investigation processes and the ensuing legal proceedings.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain the physiological characteristics of blood in terms of their influence on bloodstain pattern analysis.
  • Explain the physical factors of blood which influence bloodstain pattern.
  • Apply mathematical principles in order to determine area of origin.
  • Apply principles of physics with regard to bloodstain pattern analysis. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Learners must handle actual blood in accordance with health and safety prescripts. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the physiological characteristics of blood in terms of their influence on bloodstain pattern analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The microscopic composition of blood is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The physical properties of blood are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The cardio-vascular flow of blood in the body is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The functions of blood in the body are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the physical factors of blood which influence bloodstain pattern analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The influence of viscosity on bloodstain patterns is explained in order to interpret the bloodstain pattern. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The body's response to breaching of the circulatory system is understood in order to interpret the bloodstain pattern. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The influence of disease on bloodstain patterns is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The influence of coagulation on bloodstain patterns is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The influence of environmental conditions on drying of blood is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Specific bloodletting injuries, their location and the resulting bloodstain pattern is analysed to determine their interrelationship. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply mathematical principles in order to determine area of origin. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Area of origin refers to the origin of the occurred incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Mathematical calculations are performed after gathering information pertaining to the area of origin. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Mathematical functions are used to perform calculations in order to determine the influencing factors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Functions include but are not limited to sine, tan mathematical functions.
  • Influencing factors refers to impact angle and height above the area of convergence.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Mathematical formulas are used to perform calculations in order to determine the force applied. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Formulas refer to formulas which calculate vectors.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply principles of physics with regard to bloodstain pattern analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Physics terminology pertaining to bloodstain pattern analysis is explained by using examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terminology includes the following terms: cohesion, surface tension and viscosity, terminal velocity.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The static principles of fluid are explained in terms of their influence on the analysis of bloodstain patterns. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The dynamic principles of fluid are explained in terms of their influence on the analysis of bloodstain patterns. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids are described in order to distinguish between them. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The influence of gravity is explained on a droplet in flight. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Droplet refers to a blood droplet.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The influence of the target surface is explained on the appearance of the resulting stain. 


    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 
  • Legislation, and procedures and practices.
  • Legislation regarding investigation of crime scene's.
  • Limitation and functions related to bloodstain pattern analysis.
  • Ways and methods used to investigate a crime scene.
  • Blood as medium.
  • Chain of custody.
  • Judicial procedure pertaining to forensic evidence.
  • Evidential value.
  • Quality management.
  • Health and safety regulations related to bloodstain pattern analysis. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    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.