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

Demonstrate knowledge of forensic DNA typing 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243255  Demonstrate knowledge of forensic DNA typing 
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 
Qualifying learners are equipped with the underpinning knowledge of forensic DNA typing required to examine forensic biological exhibit material. The competency in this unit standard will support the learner to explain the applications of molecular biology which are based on the underlying principles used in DNA methods. This unit standard will provide learners with the theoretical knowledge required when working within the forensic DNA typing environment which will enable them to assess the typing applications, evaluate Short Tandem Repeats and apply DNA intelligence screening within forensic investigations.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Assess forensic DNA typing applications.
  • Evaluate Short Tandem Repeats.
  • Apply DNA intelligence screening in forensic investigations. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The unit standard:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the field of forensic biology NQF Level 5, ID 242713. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    A given situation refers to but is not limited to structured scenarios, actual scenarios, case studies and mock trials. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Assess forensic DNA typing applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    DNA typing methods are explained referring to the developmental history of the methods. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Typing methods refer to but are not limited to DNA fingerprinting, single and multi locus probes, PCR methods, STR methodologies, VNTRs, SNPS, isolation and quantification methods and mitochondrial methodologies.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    DNA typing methods are assessed for use in the field of forensic biology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Assessment includes but is not limited to the comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of STRs, mtDNA and SNPs.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The selection of nuclear markers is assessed for use in forensic DNA typing. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Nuclear markers include, but are not limited to STRs.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    DNA markers are justified for application in forensic investigations in a given situation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Application includes but is not limited to sexual assault, homicide, mass disasters and also low copy number applications.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Evaluate Short Tandem Repeats. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Principles of Short Tandem Repeats are explained in terms of their application in forensic science. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles include, but are not limited to, types of STR markers (di-,tri-, tetra- and penta-alleles), common nomenclature (allele and locus), how alleles are assigned and how allelic ladders are defined.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Commercial available marker systems are evaluated for use in forensic DNA typing. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Evaluation includes evaluation of cost and time effectiveness.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The application of STRS in forensic biology is explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Application includes but is not limited to desirable characteristics, choice of STR markers used by forensic community such as Interpol, EDNAP, ENFSI, CODIS, sex-determination loci, Y-STRs, paternity casework which loci in which kits loci used in different commercial available marker systems.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply DNA intelligence screening in forensic investigations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ethical and legislative aspects are applied when compiling DNA database intelligence. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Aspects refer to but are not limited to : requirements of data base and databank privacy issues as found in the Constitution, quality control, search and match probabilities, sample collection intimate and non-intimate, from offender versus arrested, constitutional requirements, destroying of samples and retention times of profiles, mass screening.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Forensic DNA databases are assessed to determine their validity. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    DNA databases include categories such as choice of markers; number of loci; offender, arrestee; victims; volunteer and crime scene officials.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The values of DNA databases are explained within a given situation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Value will include:
  • Requirements to exchange of DNA profiles and Interpol requirements.
  • Effectiveness of the database.
  • Quality standards.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Match confirmation is justified for forensic intelligence purposes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Match confirmation refers to searching stringency, the minimum number of loci and indexes to search.
     


    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 
  • DNA principles (including what is DNA; Structure of DNA; base pairing and hybridization of DNA strands; chromosomes; genes and DNA markers).
  • Population variation.
  • Types of DNA polymorphisms.
  • Methods for measuring DNA variation.
  • The different steps in the DNA analysis process.
  • Desirable characteristics for STRs used in forensic DNA typing.
  • Isolation and types of STR markers.
  • Common nomenclature for STR alleles.
  • What is allelic ladders and the function thereof.
  • Biology of STR's including stutter products, non-template addition. microvariants, off-ladder alleles, allele dropout, null allele and mutation rates.
  • Characteristics of mitochondrial DNA and difference between nuclear & mitochondrial DNA and application of mitochondrial to forensic caseowork.
  • What are SNP's, advantages & disadvantages, number of SNP's needed; SNP typing assays and technologies.
  • History and knowledge of forensic DNA analysis: DNA fingerprinting and use of multi-locus probes as described by Dr Alec Jeffrey, the first use of DNA testing in a forensic setting; PCR process first described; DNA testing goes public with Cellmark & Lifecodes; FBI, Forensic Science Services in the UK and SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory begins DNA casework with single-locus RFLP; establishment of TWGDAM; population statistics used with RFLP methods are questioned; PCR methods start with DQA1; DNA detection by gel silver-staining, slot blot, and reverse dot blots first described; Human Genome project begins; Fluorescent STR markers first described; Chelex Extraction; NRC I Report; FBI, Forensic Science Services in the UK and SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory starting dates with casework with PCR-DQA1, first STR kit available; sex-typing (amelogenin) developed; capillary arrays first described; Hitachi FMBIO and Molecular Dynamics gel scanners; first DNA results on microchip; OJ Simpson case findings; establishment of UK DNA database and CODIS respectively; mtDNA testing on casework in the US & UK; TaqGold DNA polymerase introduced; NRCII report; first multiplex STR kits commercially available; core loci defined by US and Interpol respectively; Y-chromosone STR's defined; 2000 SNP hybridisation chip defined; Introduction of ABI 377, ABI 310, ABI 3100, ABI 3130 instruments respectively; validation of multiplex STR kits in laboratories; Identifylier STR kit released with 5 dye chemistry; Y-STR kit becomes available; and Qiagen Extraction Methods in forensic).
  • Linkage studies.
  • Independence of loci.
  • Polymorphorpism.
  • Population independence.
  • Mutation rates.
  • Nucleotide repeat elements.
  • Heterozygosisty.
  • Concentrations.
  • Discrimination power.
  • Tri-allele, non-coding.
  • Combination of loci.
  • Positioning in the genome.
  • Ethical implications of DNA markers in coding regions.
  • Genotype and phenotype applications. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise oneself and one's activities so that all requirements are met in achieving competence in the application of DNA testing. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, evaluate, organize and critically evaluate information related to forensic DNA testing so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with others within the process of DNA 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 
    Supplementary Information

    Abbreviations and Glossary of terms:

    Abbreviations:
  • RFLPs: restriction length polymorhism.
  • MLPs: multilocus probes.
  • STRS: Short Tandem Repeats.
  • mtDNA: mitochondrial DNA.
  • PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction.
  • CODIS: Combined DNA Index System.
  • SNPs: Single Nucleotide polymorhisms.

    Glossary:
  • Database: this is commonly referred to as a repository of information relating to the DNA profile.
  • Databank: this is commonly referred to the physical DNA sample from which the DNA profile was obtained and is also available for re-testing. 
    		•

    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.