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

Separate DNA fragments 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243259  Separate DNA fragments 
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  13 
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 perform fragment separation of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) amplicon for short tandem repeat fragment analysis within the biological industry. This will enable learners to provide results which may be used in further forensic examinations. Qualifying learners will apply knowledge of electrophoresis principles and methods when preparing forensic samples for electrophoresis in a variety of contexts.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain electrophoresis principles.
  • Inspect equipment for fragment separation use.
  • Perform fragment separation by running samples in the separation medium. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Physical Science at NQF 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The term reagents refer to chemical reagents and consumables (may include items such as tips and capillary array).

    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.

    A given situation refers to but is not limited to structured scenario's, actual scenario's and case studies. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain electrophoresis principles. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Principles include reference to quality, quantity, traceability principles and storage conditions and Occupational Health and Safety guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use of electrophoresis as a DNA fragment separation technique is justified in terms of its advantages, disadvantages and limitations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Instrument platforms for DNA fragment separation are differentiated in terms of their advantages, disadvantages and limitations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Reagents for electrophoresis of DNA fragments are classified in terms of their characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Sample processing practices for DNA fragment separation are justified with reference to the electrophoresis methods used and DNA target area. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Processing includes but is not limited to preparation, denaturation, classification, loading, storage and disposition.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Inspect equipment for fragment separation use. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Inspect includes but is not limited to running of standard equipment tests. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use of equipment is explained in terms of its operating principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operating principles must include but is not limited to: frequency of testing of equipment (maintaining and replacing of parts as needed), cleaning of equipment, preventing contamination.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is identified for use in fragment separation procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Operational status of equipment is tested in order to verify whether equipment is fit for use. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Fit for use refers to using equipment according to given specifications.
  • Operational status must include verification of calibration of testing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Principles of troubleshooting of equipment areexplained using examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Troubleshooting is demonstrated in a given situation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Perform fragment separation by running samples in the separation medium. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Separation medium for the electrophoresis run is prepared in a given situation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Separation medium here refers to, but is not limited to polyacrylamide.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sample for electrophoresis is prepared in a given situation according to good laboratory practices. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Preparation may include dilution of samples, denaturation and loading.
  • Good laboratory practices (GLP) refers to the use of controls and other quality control measures according to International Standards Organisational guidelines and organisational guidelines.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    DNA fragmentation is performed using instrumentation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Instrumentation includes but is not limited to micro pipettes and genetic analysers.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Raw data is assessed in order to verify effectiveness of the DNA separation process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Raw data includes and is not limited to results generated, instrument status.
  • Verification of success may include looking at factors such as back ground, spectral overlap, matrix problems, slow mobility, poor resolution, denaturation, inconsistent mobilities from gel/capillary to gel/capillary, polymerase chain reaction, polymerization too slow/ capillaries depleted, arching.
     
    		•


    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 
  • Relevant sections of the following Acts:
    > The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
    > The Occupational Health And Safety Act 85 of1993.
  • Principles relation to fragment separation and operating principles of genetic analysers.
  • Limitation and functions related fragment separation (electrophoresis) of DNA samples.
  • The operation, maintenance, and basic troubleshooting of equipment and software.
  • The function and implications of incorrect use, of software and instrumentation.
  • Chain of custody.
  • Quality management and quality control relating to fragment separation.
  • Health and safety regulations and procedures related to electrophoresis.
  • Instrument platforms: sample through-put and financial implications, detection system, polyacrylamide separation systems, instrument platforms and software programs separation mediums (gel-based and capillary-based systems). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team within the process of DNA Fragmentation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise oneself and one's activities so that all requirements are met in achieving competence in DNA fragment separation. 

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

    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 CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology when utilising appropriate standard operating procedures in DNA fragment separations to achieve desired outcomes, in line with international accepted forensic practice. 

    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:

    DNA:
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid. 
    		•

    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.