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: 

Provide expert evidence in court 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117435  Provide expert evidence in court 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Criminology and Criminal Justice 
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 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 2004-12-02  2007-12-02  SAQA 1057/04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-12-02   2011-12-02  

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 
  • The rationale for this unit standard is captured in the role of the expert witness to provide specialised knowledge to a court of law, legal practitioners, criminal justice personnel and health practitioners.

    This unit standard will enable learners to prepare and present expert evidence in court based on an accurate assessment of the criminal event, also appropriate to law of evidence and ethical principles.

    Equipped with personal skills such as how to communicate during court proceedings, but also with knowledge of court protocols and structures as well as with a global and contextual perspective on human rights and ethical principles, the qualified learner will be able to pursue a career as an expert witness. Thereby the learning may not only provide specialised knowledge to a court of law, but also empower communities through the effective redress of crime and victimisation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The following knowledge, skills and/or equivalent:

    Learners should be able to engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts, read, analyse, write and respond to a variety of written texts. In addition, learners should have acquired the competencies to evaluate and explain and apply traditional and post-modern perspectives. Also, learners should have obtained competencies to assess, analyse and interpret impacts and vulnerability. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • The gathering and evaluation of evidence and related material refers to an accurate assessment of the event on the basis of the facts of the case, as well as relevant theoretical perspectives and research. This will also include the interviewing of all the relevant role players.
  • Records include written feedback.
  • Evaluate refers to the nature of the outcome of the legal proceedings and self-assessment.
  • Other stakeholders refer to relatives, associates, communities, community-based organisations,
    service providers or industry. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare for attending and giving expert evidence in court. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of the crime evaluation is accurately determined. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Evidence and related material is gathered, reviewed and analysed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Communicate with state prosecutor, legal representative and other stakeholders to confirm involvement and nature of role. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Presentation aids are prepared correctly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Written reports/statements are prepared accurately. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Present a verbal and written report to court. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Apply knowledge of court procedures, protocol and structures when presenting evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Apply knowledge of the relevant legislation required for presenting expert evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Apply knowledge of relevant theoretical perspectives and related research when presenting expert evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Communicate evidence contained in the written report in a logical sequence, in clear and concise language and based on fact appropriate to law of evidence and ethical principles. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Record and evaluate the outcome of legal proceedings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Outcome of legal proceedings is recorded. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Evaluate legal proceedings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Feedback is given to participant/s in the crime conflict, legal practitioner, criminal justice personnel, health worker/s and other stakeholders. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by the Council on Higher Education (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programs that result in the outcomes specified for the qualification. The CHE is responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this unit standard. Those assessing the outcomes of this unit standard should be qualified assessors, registered with the CHE for the assessment of the qualification. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Qualifying learners understand and explain:
  • The structure of the criminal justice system
  • The role and functions of the various role players in the criminal justice system
  • Criminal justice processes
  • Court protocol
  • Basic Law of Evidence
  • The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 and relevant amendments
  • The framework provided by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996
  • Relevant UN and international treaties and conventions relating to criminal justice, victims and offenders 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions have been made using critical and creative thinking to help prepare for attending and giving evidence in court, by reviewing evidence and related material, accurately assessing the criminal event, and applying the knowledge of court procedures, protocol and structures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, or community to prepare and present evidence in court by communicating with court officials, service providers and other professionals; communicate evidence contained in the written report in a logical sequence, clear and concise language, based on fact appropriate to law of evidence and ethical principles; and maintaining professional and ethical working relationships with all participants. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by setting realistic time frames, and meeting the requirements of addressing the needs of interviewing, report writing and giving evidence. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information by accurately assessing the criminal event and applying the relevant legislation required for presenting evidence. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentation in presenting oral and written evidence in a logical sequence, clear, concise and based on fact appropriate to law of evidence and ethical principles. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others through accurate assessment of the event using appropriate instruments. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation, maintaining records of the outcome of the court case and providing feedback to participant/s in the event, legal practitioner, criminal justice personnel, health worker/s and other stakeholders. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Credits:

    Activity: Hours:

    Classroom learning: 40
    On the job learning: 35
    Self-directed learning: 35
    Coaching required: 40
    Total: 150
    Total credits: 15 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  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 
    Elective  58012   National Certificate: Disaster Risk Management  Level 7  NQF Level 07  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2018-12-31  CHE 


    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.