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

Demonstrate understanding of fingerprinting for identification purposes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264674  Demonstrate understanding of fingerprinting for identification purposes 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Home Affairs 
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 4  NQF Level 04 
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 for officials who take fingerprints for identification purposes. It will be useful for new employees and employees, who are already in service, but do not have formal qualifications and are therefore unable to progress within the Department. It should enable learners to provide efficient services while complying with relevant legislation.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Explaining the use of fingerprints for identification purposes.
  • Taking fingerprints for identification purposes.
  • Explaining how fingerprints are classified. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3. 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Fingerprinting for identification purposes within a Department of Home Affairs context. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the use of fingerprints for identification purposes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Reasons why fingerprints are used for identification purposes are explained with reference to the Identification Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Situations where fingerprints are required by law are identified with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Situations include, but are not limited to, deportation, death, applications for enabling documents and marriage.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Situations where fingerprints may not be taken are identified and an indication is given of how a person may be identified if it is not possible to use fingerprints. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The relationship between the Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Services (SAPS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is explained with reference to accessing fingerprint records. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Take fingerprints for identification purposes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process to be followed in taking fingerprints is explained with reference to the equipment needed and safety precautions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The fingers on each hand are named and fingerprints are recorded correctly on the required documents. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Factors that may impact positively or negatively on the quality of fingerprints are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of maintaining a clean environment in the place where fingerprints are taken is explained with reference to the consequences of an unclean or cluttered work area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Techniques for taking fingerprints are demonstrated and an indication is given of the effect on quality if the applicant is nervous or tense. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain how fingerprints are classified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use of patterns in fingerprint classification is explained with reference to the Zimoxs system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A set of fingerprints is verified against a set of stored prints. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The use of the Zimoxs system is explained with reference to the detection of duplicates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The line of command or function followed to communicate findings to relevant authorities is outlined and an indication is given of the role of the Information Verification Official and the Screening Committee. 


    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, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding 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 or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Identification Act, Act No 68 of 1997. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner is able to work effectively with others as a member of a team, in taking fingerprints for identification purposes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively in taking quality fingerprints according to the required procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively explaining the fingerprinting process to the applicant. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner is able to use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others in taking quality fingerprints with due regard for safety. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to be culturally and aesthetically sensitive in dealing with internal and external clients. 

    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  66869   National Certificate: Home Affairs Services  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  PSETA 


    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.