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

Quantify DNA Isolates 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243249  Quantify DNA Isolates 
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  15 
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 quantify DNA within the biology industry. Qualifying learners will possess detailed knowledge of the quantification methods employed on forensic samples and an awareness of the variety of contexts within which each of these methods may be applied. Learners will be capable to determine if the quantity and a quality of a sample is sufficient for further DNA analysis within the forensic biology industry in order to provide results in forensic examinations.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Prepare reagents and DNA isolates for quantification purposes.
  • Verify the operational status of equipment for DNA analysis.
  • Perform quantification on DNA isolates.
  • Evaluate disposition of samples.
  • Evaluate quantification results. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Computer Literacy at NQF level 3.
  • Mathematics at NQF level 4.

    The unit standards:
  • Implement basic safety procedures in emergencies, ID 114863 or equivalent.
  • Monitor the quality system in a laboratory, ID 110464 or equivalent.
  • Isolate DNA, ID 243256 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The quality assurance and quality control policies of the laboratory should be followed and all procedures must comply with the quality management system of the organisation. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare reagents and DNA isolates for quantification purposes. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Preparation are done according to quantification method and sample type. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Quantification methods are assessed according to when and how they should be used when preparing reagents. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods refer to but are not limited to Quantiblot trademark, PicoGreen trademark and Quantity-PCR (Real Time PCR). Assessment includes assessment of advantages and disadvantages.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Consequences of not adhering to quality principles and procedures are explained in terms of their influence on the integrity of the sample and the quantification procedure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Quality also refers to traceability principles and storage conditions.
  • Integrity will include traceability and quality control.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Principles underlying sample preparation are explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles include reference to sample quality and quantity.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Samples are identified according to the unique sample identifier and unique quantification type. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sample identifier includes but is not limited to sample type and exhibit type.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Amounts and order of samples are determined according to the sample type. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Order of samples refer to rules applied to the order of samples to ensure that sample switching and contamination is prevented and or easily detected.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Sample is prepared in a given situation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preparation includes the marking of sample and prevention of contamination and sample switching.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Verify the operational status of equipment for DNA analysis. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Verification includes inspection and running of standards equipment tests. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Equipment is described in terms of its operating principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is selected for use in a specific quantification procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Operational status of equipment is tested in order to verify whether equipment is fit for use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Principles of troubleshooting of equipment is explained using examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Troubleshooting is demonstrated in a given situation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Perform quantification on DNA isolates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Quantification methods are assessed for use taking into account principles of quantification. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles refer to the use of validated methods, international and national standards and published articles.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Characteristics and functions of reagents and consumables are evaluated in order to determine suitability for use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Consequences of not using reagents and consumables correctly are evaluated in terms of its influence on isolation of samples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A quantification is performed on samples in a given situation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Evaluate disposition of samples. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Disposition includes: transfer, storage, destroying of samples, dispatching of samples and retrieving of samples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Location and conditions of storage samples are evaluated in order to ensure integrity of samples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Integrity refers to chain of evidence, safety regulations, quality etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The quality of quantification recording documentation is assessed in relation to their future uses. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Future uses may include chain of custody, sample information, quality assurance and quality control requirements in the quantification of DNA isolates.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Evaluate quantification results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Calibration standards are verified according to quantification procedure used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Positive and negative control results are evaluated in order to establish the validity of the test. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Quantification results are evaluated in order to determine whether further analysis is needed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Consequences of inaccurate or displacement of records are explained in terms of its impact on future re-testing of samples. 


    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 
  • Judicial procedure pertaining to forensic evidence.
  • Evidential value of DNA analysis on crime samples.
  • Quantification methods including Quantiblot and real-time PCR.
  • Operating principles:
    > Frequency of testing of equipment.
    > Cleaning of equipment.
    > Preventing contamination.
    > Certain parts are regularly maintained and or replaced.
  • Selection must take into account the equipment's advantages and disadvantages.
  • Fit for use refers to using equipment according to given specifications.
  • Operational status must include calibration testing. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Use appropriate standard operating procedures in the field of DNA quantification to achieve desired outcomes, in line with international accepted forensic practice. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analyzing, organizing and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with others within the process of DNA 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 
    Abbreviations and Glossary of terms:

    DNA:
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid.

    PCR:
  • Polymerase chain reaction. 
    		•

    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.