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

Justify the quality of collected bloodstain pattern evidence 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243243  Justify the quality of collected bloodstain pattern evidence 
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 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  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 
Learners credited with this unit standard are able to document bloodstain patterns found on incident scenes. Learners will be able to justify their findings in a forensic investigation and possible future judicial processes. This unit standard will enable them to interpret gathered evidence and to apply further analysis and evaluative reasoning, if necessary. The quality of the forensic findings must be justifiable and therefore demands a high level of competency when interpreting bloodstain pattern analysis.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Evaluate the role of photographs when analysing bloodstain patterns.
  • Sketch the relative position of a bloodstain pattern.
  • Interpret the location and nature of bloodstain pattern evidence.
  • Collate physical bloodstain evidence for identification purposes. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Mathematics on NQF Level 4.

    The unit standards:
  • Evaluate bloodstain evidence.
  • Perform bloodstain pattern analysis. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Evaluate the role of photographs when analysing bloodstain patterns. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use of photographs is explained in terms of their evidential value. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The bloodstain pattern is analysed in order to determine the most useful angle from which photographs need to be taken. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The analysis relates to the ability to identify well formed bloodstains.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Photograph indicators are explained in terms of their various uses and their ability to create a visual reconstruction of the incident scene. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Indicators include: markings, plumb lines, scales.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Sketch the relative position of a bloodstain pattern. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sketching methods are compared in terms of their various uses and advantages and disadvantages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The use of scale is demonstrated in a given case study. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information is recorded on a sketch in order to reconstruct a scene of incidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The purpose of cross-reference sketches are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A cross projection sketch is compiled within a given case study. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Interpret the location and nature of bloodstain pattern evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information gathered is analysed in order to establish the location and nature of the bloodstain pattern evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose for methodically describing each observed bloodstain pattern is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Conclusions drawn regarding the location and nature of the bloodstain are justified in terms of the measurements obtained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Collate physical bloodstain evidence for identification purposes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Bloodstain patterns are evaluated for identification purposes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Evaluation refers to probative value of evidence and admissibility to a court of law.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of cross contamination is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effect of environmental conditions on the preservation of biological specimens is explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Environmental conditions include but are not limited to moisture and temperature.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Sampling techniques to collect blood from different target surfaces are explained in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

    Assessor must be competent in the outcomes of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Evidential value of various trace exhibit material.
  • Overview of forensic examinations.
  • Relevant sections of the following Acts:
    > The Human Tissue Act 65 of 1983.
    > The National Health Act 61 of 2003.
    > The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
    > The Occupational Health And Safety Act 85 of1993.
  • Chain of custody.
  • Judicial procedure pertaining to forensic evidence.
  • Quality management. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Utilise appropriate standard operating procedures in the field of bloodstain pattern analysis to achieve desired outcomes, in line with international accepted forensic practice. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team within the process of bloodstain pattern analysis. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise oneself and one's activities so that all requirements are met in achieving competence in bloodstain pattern analysis. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, evaluate, organize and critically evaluate information related to bloodstain pattern analysis so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with others within the process of bloodstain pattern analysis, as well as external role-players in order to achieve the aims of documentation, report writing and expert witness testimony utilizing the modes of oral and written communication. 

    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  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 


    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.