SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Demonstrate an understanding of the field of forensic biology

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
242713	Demonstrate an understanding of the field of forensic biology
ORIGINATOR
SGB Forensic Science
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	6
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 intended for learners who will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of biological examinations in a forensic science environment. It is intended to provide fundamental theoretical principles in physiology and molecular biology that form the basis of the techniques used in forensic biology examinations.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the physiological characteristics of semen used in forensic biological examinations.

Explain the elementary physiological characteristics of blood which are used in forensic biological examinations.

Demonstrate an understanding of the elementary structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Unit standard: Demonstrate an understanding of forensic science.

Unit standard: Demonstrate an understanding of the specialised fields in forensic science biology on NQF level 4.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

N/A

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Demonstrate an understanding of the physiological characteristics of semen used in forensic biological examinations.

OUTCOME RANGE

Characteristics refer to elementary characteristics and not detailed physiological aspects of semen.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

The elementary physiology and morphology of spermatozoa are explained in terms of their impact on forensic examinations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Morphology must include, but is not limited to, description of the acrosome, head, mid-piece and flagellate tail of the spermatozoa as well as the identification of morphological differences of spermatozoa between species.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

The elementary composition and biochemical characteristics of seminal fluid are explained in the context of forensic examinations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Pathological abnormalities of semen are explained in terms of its impact on forensic biological examinations.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Explain the elementary physiological characteristics of blood which are used in forensic.

OUTCOME RANGE

Characteristics refer to elementary characteristics in the context of forensic biological examinations, and must include, but are not limited to, haemoglobin.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Red blood cells are described in terms of their characteristics.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

White blood cells are described in terms of their elementary physiological characteristics.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Blood platelets and biochemical composition of blood plasma are described in terms of their elementary physiological characteristics.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Blood groups are explained in terms of their elementary physiological characteristics.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Demonstrate an understanding of the elementary structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

The chemical composition and structure of DNA is described with examples.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

The primary, secondary and tertiary structure of DNA must be described according to the Watson and Crick model.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Genetic code and genetic markers are explained in the context of forensic biological examinations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Concepts must focus on the human genome and should include, but are not limited to: inheritance, chromosomes, loci, polymorphic alleles, diploid and haploid marker systems.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

The synthesis of DNA is explained in the context of forensic biological examinations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Mitochondrial DNA is explained in terms of its elementary characteristics and compared to nuclear DNA (nDNA).

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Any individual who wishes to be assessed against this unit standard (including assessment of RPL) may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or with 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. Assessors must be competent in the outcome of the Unit Standard.

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 according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the relevant ETQA procedures.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

Elementary cell biology.

Fundamental physiological principles.

Principles of forensic investigation.

Criminal Procedure Act (Act 51 of 1977).

Current Human Tissue Act.

Occupational health and safety.

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 thinking, have been made.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

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

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use science and technology effectively and critically, show responsibility towards the environment and the health of others.

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.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING

Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.

Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.

Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.

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

Glossary of terminology

Acrosome:

Membrane-bound structure covering the anterior portion of the head of the spermatozoa.

Anterior:

Situated towards the front of an object.

DNA:

Chemical structure in the nucleus of a cell that contains the genetic information of an organism.

Flagellate tail:

Section of the sperm cell that is located behind the neck or mid-piece.

Forensic biology:

Crime samples analysed by biochemical techniques for the purpose of identity determination in order to serve justice.

Forensic questioned documents:

Documents analysed with forensic document examination methods and techniques for the purpose of individualisation and identification.

Germ cell:

A reproductive cell of the body. Egg cells in females and sperm cells in males.

Head:

Section of the sperm cell that is located in front of the neck and tail.

Haemoglobin:

Red pigment in the red blood cells carrying oxygen.

Micro-organisms:

An organism that can only be seen under a microscope, including algae (simple rootless plants that grow in water), bacteria (single-celled organisms only visible under a microscope), fungi (simple plants, often microscopic, that lack photosynthetic pigment), protozoa (single-celled animals that are larger and more complex than bacteria) and viruses (small particle that infects cells in biological organisms. Viruses can only multiply when in contact with living cells).

Mid-piece:

Section of the sperm cell that is located between the head and the tail.

Mitochondria:

Organelles in a cell that is responsible for energy production.

Mitochondrial DNA:

DNA located in the mitochondria.

Morphology:

Description of the form and structure of an object.

Nuclear DNA:

DNA located in the nucleus of a cell.

Nucleus:

Membrane-bound structure within a cell, consisting of a number of characteristic organelles and that contains the nuclear DNA.

Organelles:

A structure in cells which has a specialised function.

Plasma:

Fluid portion of blood.

Platelets:

Disk-shaped structures in blood that plays a role in blood clotting.

Red blood cells:

Cells in blood containing haemoglobin and involved in the transport of oxygen.

Species:

Groups of organisms that can be distinguished from each other by specific features. Each individual species is a group of related organisms having common characteristics and are capable of interbreeding.

Spermatozoa:

Mature male germ cell produced by the testes.

Testes:

Male reproductive organs where sperm are produced.

White blood cells:

Cells in blood protecting the organism against micro-organisms.

List of abbreviations

DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid.

mtDNA: mitochondrial DNA.

nDNA: nuclear DNA.

Legal

Specific legislation recorded in this unit standard is left open ended, for additional legislation to be assessed. Wherever legislation is referred to in this unit standard, current legislation is implied.

Section 37 of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act 51 of 1977).

Section 150 to 207 of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act 51 of 1977).

Section 208 to 253 of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act 51 of 1977).

Sections 212(4)(a) and 212(8)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act 51 of 1977).

Bill of Rights as defined in the Constitution of the RSA Act (Act 108 of 1996).

Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993).

Section 1 of the Anatomical Donations and Post-Mortem Examinations Act (Act 24 of 1970).

Human Tissue Act (Act 65 of 1983).

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core	58183	National Diploma: Forensic Pathology Support	Level 5	NQF Level 05	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	SAS SETA
Elective	57651	National Certificate: Forensic Science	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.

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