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

Apply the scientific principles of dactyloscopy 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243641  Apply the scientific principles of dactyloscopy 
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  7 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 to introduce the learner to the elementary processes of dactyloscopy related to forensic investigations. Learners will have an understanding as to how dactyloscopy assists in the identification of individuals involved in forensic investigations, including but not limited to victims who died in mass disasters and wars, or due to homicides, suicides, or accidents, as well as exhumed human remains. Learners will also be able to perform fingerprint retrieval from individuals. The learner will have an understanding as to how dactyloscopy assists in the identification of individuals involved in forensic investigations, and perform the retrieval of fingerprints from individuals in a forensic environment.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Describe the background history of the development of the science of fingerprinting, to facilitate the identification of individuals.
  • Explain the elementary classification of fingerprints, to facilitate the identification of individuals.
  • Apply scientific techniques in the retrieval of fingerprints of individuals, as well as latent fingerprints on surfaces, in order to identify individuals. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication skills at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • The unit standards:
    > 243638: "Apply knowledge of anatomy, patho-physiology and trauma pathology", NQF Level 5.
    > 243635: "Facilitate identification process of human remains", NQF Level 5.
    > 243631: "Assist with post mortem examination procedures", NQF Level 5.
    > 243636: "Perform imaging techniques", NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Gathering of information can be either at the scene, at a medico-legal facility or laboratory. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the background history of the development of the science of fingerprinting. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The development of the science of fingerprinting is described against the historical background. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The anatomical features of human friction ridge skin are described, in order to understand the origins of human fingerprints. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    "Friction ridge skin": inner surfaces of the hands and feet.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The glandular secretions of human friction ridge skin are described, in order to understand the transfer of human fingerprints. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    "Transfer": glandular secretions, dust, powder, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The ridge characteristics of fingerprints are described in order to uniquely identify an individual. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    "Ridge characteristics": ridge ending, bifurcation and the dot or island.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the elementary classification of fingerprints, to facilitate the identification of individuals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Fingerprint classification systems are described, in order to select a classification system to use. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    "Classification systems": ten finger, five finger and single finger.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different fingerprint patterns are described, in order to determine the primary and secondary fingerprint classifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • "Patterns": arch, loop and whorl.
  • "Primary classification": 1/1 to 32/32 and "secondary classification": including but not limited to arch, tented arch, radial loop and loop.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The whorl tracings and ridge countings are described, in order to perform sub-secondary and final fingerprint classification. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    "Sub-secondary classification": Henry's classification or ZIMOXYS classification.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The admissibility of fingerprint evidence in a legal setting is explained, in order to describe the limitations of such evidence. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply scientific techniques in the retrieval of fingerprints of individuals in order to identify individuals. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Retrieval of fingerprints of individuals also includes the retrieval of latent fingerprints on surfaces. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The conditions of the "friction ridge skin" on the hands of an individual that may affect the quality of fingerprints are described, in order to adjust the techniques used for fingerprint retrieval. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    "Techniques": include but are not limited to allowing for healing of temporary lesions, considering permanent lesions, chemical enhancement of fingerprint ridges, removal of finger pads or skin in deceased individuals.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The methods for the retrieval of fingerprints of individuals are demonstrated, in order to ensure that fingerprint patterns and ridge characteristics are clearly identifiable. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The methods for the retrieval of latent fingerprints on a variety of surfaces are explained, to ensure preservation of any latent fingerprints at a scene. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The legislative parameters for the use of fingerprint evidence in a court of law is explained in order to ensure successful outcome in a legal setting. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • 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 or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Relevant sections of the following Acts:

    > The Human Tissue Act 65 of 1983.
    > The National Health Act 61 of 2003.
    > The Inquests Act 58 of 1959.
    > The Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992.
    > The Health Professions Act 56 of 1974.
    > The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
    > The Occupational Health And Safety Act 85 of1993. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving is covered in that a learner must be able to anticipate that fingerprints may need to be retrieved, as well as assist with the identification of individuals. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working in a team when assisting the expert in a forensic investigative environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self management in that the learner is responsible for organising and managing him/herself in the collection and preservation of data. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Learners are required to collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to Dactyloscopy in a forensic investigative environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Learners are required to communicate accurate information about issues of Dactyloscopy relating to the scene of death using a variety of communication methods. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Learners are required to use science and technology in the collection and analysis of forensic evidence. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Learners are required to see the world as a set of related systems in that, when they are problem solving at a scene of death, their actions may affect the outcome of the investigation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full personal development of the learner, that in order to participate as responsible citizens in the community, consideration is shown to emotionally traumatized persons at the scene of death. 

    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  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.