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: 

Apply visual tracking skills in order to locate a subject 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120464  Apply visual tracking skills in order to locate a subject 
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  15 
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 individuals in the field of Safety and Society who need to find subjects who left a scene of a crime or to locate lost persons. This unit standard will be applied specifically within the area of reduction, combating and investigation of crime.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Identify tracks on a tracking scene to individualize a subject.
  • Determine a definite starting point within a controlled scenario.
  • Apply tracking skills to follow tracks of one or more subjects.
  • Find and identify a subject. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication NQF 3.
  • Mathematical Literacy NQF 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard must be assessed in a controlled scenario. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify tracks on a tracking scene to individualize a subject. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Tracking scenes may refer to a crime scene or any scene where trackers can be utilized. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Incoming tracks of subject are identified in order to determine the direction from which the subject came. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Techniques for preservation of tracks are demonstrated in order to individualise the subject to match subject with the scene. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preservation may include covering or reproduction for identification purposes.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Exhibits are preserved in order to individualise the exhibit and to match exhibit with the scene. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Exhibits must either be shown to a designated person who is authorized to handle exhibits or handled by the tracker as prescribed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Outgoing tracks of subject are identified to determine the line of flight of the subject. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Determine a definite starting point within a controlled scenario. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    An initial tracking report containing available information is compiled. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The position starting point is determined in order to inform role players. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Starting point may refer to a position on a map or global positioning system or physical explanations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Amount of tracks is determined in order to estimate the number of subjects involved. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Direction of tracks is determined in order to utilize the lip frogging group. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Lip frogging group may refer to the personnel used to locate tracks in front of the starting point.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Age of track is assessed in order to determine actions to be taken within given time frames. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Type of tracks is determined in order to link the type of track with the apprehended subject(s) to the crime scene. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply tracking skills to follow tracks of one or more subjects. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Reasons for maximum use of available light are described in relation to track. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Light may refer to sunlight or artificial light.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Communication with other role players is maintained in order to direct the tracking operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Role players include members of tracking team as well as external role players. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods may include verbal and non- verbal communication as well as two way radio communications.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Continuity of the tracking is maintained by demonstrating the ability to confirm the track. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Conclusions from interpretations of spoor signs are made in order to determine valuable information needed for the tracking process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Conclusion may include predictions on a subject's movement, physical state, intentions, position, training and weaponry.
  • Spoor refers to footprints, ground signs, aerial signs or any other signs that are indicative of a subject's movement or presence.
  • General line of flight is also determined.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Lost track techniques are applied when track is lost. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Lost track techniques may include but are not limited to: 180 degrees technique, possible routes and 360 degrees.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Find and identify a subject. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Position of subject is located by making use of tracking techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Subject is approached in line with information gathered during the tracking operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Positive identification of subject is made through comparison with tracks, gathered evidence and exhibits. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tracks may include but is not limited to identifiable footprints with footwear or other accepted methods.
     


    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 
  • Identify types of tracks including incoming and outgoing tracks
  • Tracking scene
  • Preservation of tracks
  • Exhibit handling
  • Starting point, direction of tracks
  • Use of Lip frogging group
  • Tracking skills to follow tracks of one or more subjects
  • Maximum use of available light and personal body position
  • Methods of verbal and non- verbal communication
  • Interpretations of spoor signs
  • Tracking and lost track techniques
  • Terminology on techniques
  • Supportive tracking formations
  • The Constitution of South Africa
  • Criminal Procedure Act
  • Animal Protection Act No 71 of 1962 section 2.1(a), (c), (d), (f), (i), (m), (n), (q) and (r)
  • 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) 
    		•

    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 using critical and creative thinking have been made. 

    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 CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation. 

    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 
    Terminology:
  • Subject refers to suspects, lost persons or stock (animals). 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    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.
     
    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.