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

Utilize a search and rescue dog in structured scenarios to locate missing persons and evidence 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120468  Utilize a search and rescue dog in structured scenarios to locate missing persons and evidence 
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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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 in society who utilize search and rescue dogs to find missing persons or evidence. This unit standard will contribute toward compliance with legal, safety, and organizational requirements related to search and rescue dog handling.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Plan a search to determine the course of action in a controlled scenario.
  • Provide scent to search and rescue dog.
  • Utilize a search and rescue dog to search for missing persons and or evidence.
  • Report on the findings of a search and rescue dog. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematical Literacy NQF 4.
  • Communication NQF 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Structured scenarios may include open areas, densely vegetated areas, mountains, underground, water, man- made disasters (which include structural disasters), natural disasters.
    Missing persons include persons still alive, injured, unconscious or deceased.
    Evidence include any human scented article or parts of a human body.
    Search and Rescue Dog refers to a dog that has been trained to exhibit the required conditioned behaviour. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan the search to determine the course of action for a controlled scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information is gathered to determine behavioural factors of the victim. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Environmental factors are considered in order to determine search routes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment is selected considering the type of scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Search pattern is established considering the type of scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Position to provide scent is taken in relation to wind direction. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Provide scent to search and rescue dog in a controlled scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Dog is positioned to take up scent of the victim. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Dog is encouraged to take up scent by making us of verbal commands and or verbal praise. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Dog is allowed time to take up scent of the victim by making us of verbal commands and or verbal praise. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Utilize dog to search for missing persons and or evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Commands are given to enable the dog to search for the victim and or evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Dog is encouraged to use natural scent abilities without influence by the handler. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Control over dog is demonstrated in a structured scenario to locate missing persons and or evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Action is taken when dog indicates findings about the victim and or evidence. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Action may include marking of areas, making logical conclusions based on dog's behaviour, sending and following dog again.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Report the information which was gathered during the use of a search and rescue dog. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Information include details of missing persons who are alive, injured, unconscious or deceased, human scented article(s) or parts of a human body. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information gathered is analysed in order to report findings to relevant role-players. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Relevant role-players may refer to but are not limited to: investigation officers and forensics analyst. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reports are compiled detailing all information pertaining to the search. 


    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 
  • International procedures relevant to disaster management
  • Plan the search
  • Information gathering
  • Environmental factors
  • Equipment used
  • Search patterns
  • Scent transferring in relation to wind direction
  • Victim support principles
  • Methods of verbal commands and praise
  • Utilization of dog to search for missing persons and or evidence
  • Dog behaviour
  • Reporting methods
  • Role of relevant role-players
  • Criminal Procedure Act, No. 51 of 1977 (section 20-23, 25-28, 30, 39-40, 43, 48-50)
  • South African Police Service Act, No. 68 of 1995 (section 13)
  • 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 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 
    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 
    Elective  61729   National Diploma: Policing  Level 6  NQF Level 06  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.