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: 

Utilize a tracker dog to follow a human scent trail 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120456  Utilize a tracker dog to follow a human scent trail 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Visible Policing 
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  10 
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 
This unit standard is for learners in the field of safety in society who utilize a tracker dog to follow a human scent trail.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Assess the crime scene for possible tracks, to provide scent to a tracker dog.
  • Prepare the tracker dog to follow the identified human track.
  • Utilize the dog to follow the scent track of a human trail to apprehend or locate the person linked to the scent.
  • Locate and identify the suspect and or evidence on the human scent trail that was followed. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication at NQF Level 3 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The term trail also refers to a track. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Assess the crime scene for possible tracks, to provide scent to a tracker dog. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    These assessment criteria should be assessed in a controlled scenario.

    Crime scene refers to but is not limited to:
    Any scene where the basic instincts of a tracker dog can be utilized to detect a human scent trail or object. It may include assessment within an urban and rural environment such as: vegetated areas, open fields, mountainous areas, agricultural land or terrain, urban parks and conservation areas, rural areas with informal settlements and any other area that allows for a tracker dog to follow a human scent trail. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The crime scene is secured in order to protect the integrity of the crime scene. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The crime scene is approached without damaging or contaminating possible human trails and evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Possible human scent tracks are located within the demarcated area by identifying incoming and outgoing tracks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Point of exit is located in terms of the visible signs at the crime scene. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare the tracker dog to follow the identified human track. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Search is planned to ensure the utilization of the tracker dog's natural instincts while taking into consideration environmental and safety factors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Training equipment is selected and fitted to the tracker dog to ensure control is exercised over the dog during tracking process, according to accepted training methods. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Training equipment may include but is not limited to tracking lines and harness.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Environmental factors are analyzed to determine available scent as provided to the tracker dog during the tracking process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Available human scent track is introduced to the tracker dog to ensure that the track's scent is assimilated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Utilize the dog to follow the scent track of a human trail to apprehend or locate the person linked to the scent. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Rural: one and a half hours, one kilometre, minimum of two articles. Variables to be taken into account when constructing a scenario: cross contamination and environmental factors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Voice commands are selected and demonstrated in order to facilitate the search operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Positive and negative reinforcement is demonstrated in different situations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Positive reinforcement refers to verbal and physical praise, toy reward or presenting a titbit. Negative reinforcement refers to change of voice tone, witholding reward, body language or ignoring the dog depending on the dog's character. Negative reinforcement does not refer to any physical abuse. Positive reinforcements are varied as dog progresses to increase the pace of the conditioning process.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The behaviour of the dog is interpreted in order to facilitate the search. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Human scented objects pointed out by the tracker dog is approached, seized and or handled according to organizational policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Obstacles on the track which will hinder the dog's performance is taken into account when selecting alternative routes or actions in order to facilitate the search operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Obstacles may refer to but are not limited to fences, footpaths, roads, distractions and animals.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Locate and identify the suspect and or evidence on the human scent trail that was followed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Dog is followed on the track until suspect and or person is located on the track. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Suspect is identified as the person searched for by matching identification information available. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Evidence and exhibits are identified, seized and recorded according to current legislation. 


    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 
  • Assess the crime scene for possible tracks
  • Crime scene management principles
  • Human scent tracks
  • Incoming and outgoing tracks
  • Visual tracks protection
  • Point of exit
  • Dog's natural instincts
  • Environmental and safety factors
  • Training equipment
  • Provisioning of scent principles.
  • Apprehend or locate the person linked to the scent.
  • Voice commands
  • Positive and negative reinforcement
  • Behaviour of the dog is interpreted in order to facilitate the search
  • Dog's conditioned behaviour
  • Identify the suspect and or evidence
  • Evidence and exhibits
  • Criminal Procedure Act, No. 51 of 1977 (section 20-23, 25-28, 30, 39-40, 43, 48-50)
  • Constitution of South Africa Act, No. 106 of 1996 (section 10, 12, 14, 21, 25, 205(3))
  • Judicial matter second amendment Act 122 of 1998 (which replace section 49 of the CPA, No. 51 of 1977)
  • Animal Protection Act No 71 of 1962 section 2.1(a), (c), (d), (f), (i), (m), (n), (q) and (r) 
    		•

    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 a member of a team, group organization, community. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information. 

    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  57938   Further Education and Training Certificate: Dog Handling  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Elective  50102   National Certificate: Dog Handling  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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.
     
    1. Alpha K9 Solutions Pty Ltd 
    2. ATLEGANG CONSULTING CC 
    3. AVK9 Pty Ltd 
    4. AVSCAN TRAINING PTY LTD BOKSBURG 
    5. DENVINLEE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT CC 
    6. DOGS AND ALL 
    7. DTZ holdings 
    8. GENESIS K9 GROUP (PTY) LTD 
    9. George B Security Seervices 
    10. INSTITUTE FOR PERSONAL CLOSE PROTECTION 
    11. IPID Investigation 
    12. K9 129 
    13. K9 DTC Security Services Pty Ltd 
    14. K9 REVELATION SERVICES 
    15. MILITES DEI SECURITY SERVICES (PTY) LTD 
    16. One Stop Security Pty Ltd 
    17. PARAMOUNT K9 SOLUTIONS PTY LTD 
    18. RAPS K9 LAW ENFORCEMENT 
    19. TACKLE HOF TRADING 
    20. TACTICAL K9 AFRICA 
    21. Vetus Schola Protection Inland 
    22. Wolf Guarding Solutions Pty Ltd 


    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.