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

Apply knowledge of anatomy, patho-physiology and trauma pathology 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243638  Apply knowledge of anatomy, patho-physiology and trauma pathology 
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  20 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 learners who will be required to explain elementary anatomy, patho-physiology and trauma pathology and apply them as an assistant in a forensic investigative environment. These three components are inter-related and therefore the unit standard requires that they be integrated in a unit standard for use in a forensic environment. How anatomy, patho-physiology and trauma pathology relate in a forensic environment is of importance in this unit standard, but the level of knowledge required for this learner is elementary and therefore an in depth knowledge of each area is not required.

The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Explain the topography and macroscopic anatomy of individual organs and anatomical regions.
  • Explain the inter-relationships of the elementary physiological systems in the human body.
  • Describe post mortem changes and abnormal findings in an autopsy. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication at NQF Level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Elementary anatomy excludes detailed descriptions of organs and micro-anatomy. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the topography and macroscopic anatomy of individual organs and anatomical regions. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Topography refers to the position of organs in the body. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Descriptive anatomical terminology is explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terminology includes but is not limited to terminology regarding anatomical landmarks and positions, body cavities and viscera.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Anatomical regions of the body are identified in order to establish the position of organs and systems. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Position refers to anatomical cavities and relationships of organs.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Each organ within a system is described in terms of its macroscopic structure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Variations in organs from the anatomical and structural norm are identified with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The major bones of the body are identified and located on an articulated skeleton. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Tissue types are described in terms of distinguishing features and functions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tissue types includes: skin, muscle, connective tissue, fat, bone, blood etc.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the inter-relationships of the elementary physiological systems in the human body. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Physiological systems includes but is not limited to circulation, respiratory and central nervous system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Physiological systems and organs are described in terms of their functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The patho-physiology of cardio-vascular functions and homeostasis is explained in terms of its causal role in death. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The patho-physiology of respiratory systems is explained in terms of its causal role in death. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The patho-physiology of the central nervous system is explained in terms of its causal role in death. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The inter-relationship between major organ systems is explained in terms of their combined causal role in death. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Organ systems: cardio-vascular, respiratory, central nervous system.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe post mortem changes and abnormal findings in an autopsy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Post mortem changes and artefacts are described with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Changes and artefacts may include rigor mortis, lividity/hypostasis, changes associated with decomposition, scavenger-induced injury, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    External wounds and injuries are classified in order to identify their typical characteristics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Wounds and injuries: abrasions, lacerations, incised wounds, bruises, gunshot wounds, fractures, iatrogenic.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Internal wounds and injuries are classified in order to identify their typical characteristics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Wounds and injuries: lacerations, incised wounds, bruises, gunshot wounds, fractures, iatrogenic.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Injuries to the vital organs are explained in order to determine the cause and mechanism of death. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Vital organs: the heart, brain, lungs, and major vascular structures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Common natural and unnatural pathological conditions are identified and described in terms of their physical manifestations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Common natural and unnatural pathological conditions should include but not limited to meningitis, brain injuries, fractures, fluid collections in body cavities, pneumonia, Tuberculosis, liver pathologies, bowel perforations, large vessel abnormalities, pallor.
     


    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.
  • 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 or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Principles of anatomy, physiology and pathology as per range statements.
  • Major bones include the skull, long bones, pelvis, ribs, hyoid bone, vertebral column.
  • Current relevant legislation applicable:
    > Inquest Act 58 of 1959.
    > National Health Act 61 of 2003.
    > Human Tissues Act 65 of 1983. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Learners are required to collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to anatomy, physiology and pathology. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Learners are required to communicate using appropriate medical terminology. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Learners are required to use science in explaining certain patho-physiological principles. 

    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 
    Artefacts mean added physical changes to the human remains that occur after death - unrelated to the death incident; usually effected by those handling the body. 

    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 


    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.