CPPSEC 3027 DEVELOP INVESTIGATIVE PLAN
Unit descriptor
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to develop and document an investigative plan. It requires an ability to assess the scope of the investigation, select a preferred investigative method based on client requirements and time, resource and legal parameters, and plan for contingencies in the conduct of the investigation.
This unit may form part of the licensing requirements for persons engaged in investigative work in those states and territories where these are regulated activities.
Application of the Unit
This unit of competency has application in a range of work roles in the investigative services industry. Work is performed under limited supervision and competency requires some judgement and decision-making. The knowledge and skills described in this unit are to be applied within relevant legislative
and organisational guidelines.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.
Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and/or the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.
1 Identify scope of investigation.
1.1 Assignment instructions and relevant information is obtained to review client and legislative requirements.
1.2 Clarification of instructions or further information is sought as required from relevant persons.
1.3 Necessary resources and equipment are identified and availability checked against assignment instructions and budget.
1.4 Limitations in conducting investigation are recognised and assistance sought as required from relevant persons.
2 Determine method of investigation.
2.1 An effective method of investigation is determined in accordance with assignment instructions, client brief and continuity of evidence requirements.
2.2 Background information and an assessment of benefits and limitations is conducted to confirm suitability of recommended investigative method.
2.3 Necessary modifications to investigative methods are identified and implemented where practicable based on an assessment of risk.
2.4 Proposed investigative method is discussed and confirmed with client using appropriate communication techniques.
3 Develop investigation plan.
3.1 Investigation plan is prepared based on assignment instructions, client requirements, and identified investigative methods and resources.
3.2 Plan includes identified sources and methods for collecting information which are valid, lawful, reliable and make efficient use of resources.
3.3 Plan incorporates contingency measures to maximise safety of self and others and preserve evidence in line with legislative requirements.
3.4 Investigation plan is recorded and documented using business equipment and technology and securely maintained with due regard to privacy.
As well as being assessed in the performance of the performance criteria above, you will have to display:
Required skills
· basic analysis · complete workplace documentation and reports · evaluate diverse or conflicting pieces of information
· identify and access relevant information from reliable sources · information technology · interview skills
· literacy skills to understand and communicate information (reading, writing, speaking, numeracy and listening)
· make discretionary decisions · numeracy skills to estimate time to complete work tasks and resource requirements
· personal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and varying physical and mental abilities
· planning · prioritise work tasks and complete activities within designated timeframes · problem solving and negotiation
· questioning to check understanding · research · risk assessment · surveillance.
Required knowledge
· basic investigation techniques · how to safeguard confidential information · how to use business equipment to present information which may be used as evidence · information management systems and methods · legal and ethical obligations with regard to the gathering and distribution of information · legislative requirements applicable to the conduct and reporting of investigations · legislative restrictions on the use of recording devices
· Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements for investigative activities · operational principles and capabilities of investigative equipment
· purpose, benefits and limitations of factual versus surveillance for investigations · reliable sources and methods for collecting information
· requirements for collecting, preserving and presenting evidence · requirements for continuity of evidence · standards and procedures for client service.
Range Statement
Assignment instructions may include: · assignment tasks and procedures · client brief and details · incident and security risk response procedures
· investigation purpose and objectives · investigation timeframe · methods of investigation · personal presentation requirements
· reporting and documentation requirements · resource and equipment allocations.
Relevant information may include: · acceptable modes of enquiry · audio or video recordings · cost schedules · evidence · investigative limitations and exclusions · maps, plans or schematics · photographs or drawings · sources of information and contact requirements · summary of case history.
Legislative requirements may relate to: · applicable commonwealth, state and territory legislation which affects investigative work
such as: · workplace safety · environmental issues · equal employment opportunity · industrial relations · anti-discrimination and diversity · Australian standards and quality assurance · authority to conduct investigation · award and enterprise agreements
· evidence collection · freedom of information · licensing arrangements and certification requirements · privacy requirements · relevant industry codes of practice · restrictions in the use of recording devices · surveillance and listening devices.
Relevant persons may include: · client · industry or government representatives · police · security personnel · supervisor or manager · technical specialist.
Resources and equipment may include: · 35mm camera · binoculars · computers, computer applications, modems · diary, note pads and pens · digital imaging equipment · e-mail, internet · facsimile · guise, torch, mirrors · measuring tape · mobile phone · night vision equipment · own time management · pager · personal hygiene aids · telephone directories, maps, street directories · telephoto lens · transcript recorder · transport · tripod · video camera · voice recorder.
Limitations may relate to: · compliance with safety requirements · current competence level · difficulties in meeting timelines · inability to fulfil own role and responsibilities · inadequate information to plan investigation · lack of resources · licensing requirements · technical expertise · understanding of assignment instructions · understanding of legal requirements.
Method of investigation may be: · factual investigation · surveillance · combination of factual investigation and surveillance.
Communication techniques may involve: · active listening · being non-judgemental · being respectful and non-discriminatory · control of tone of voice and body language · culturally aware and sensitive use of language and concepts · demonstrating flexibility and willingness to negotiate · effective verbal and non-verbal communication · maintaining professionalism · providing and receiving constructive feedback
· providing sufficient time for questions and responses · reflection, summarising and paraphrasing · two-way interaction · use of plain English
· use of positive, confident and cooperative language.
Background information may relate to: · legislation relating to conduct of surveillance · readily accessible information provided by relevant
persons · requirements for collecting evidence · research and preliminary enquiries · research of public records · use of surveillance equipment · verbal details and documents supplied by client.
Sources may include: · colleagues, supervisor, manager · government departments or agencies · industry networks · informants · internet
· interviews, meetings · library · police · related records, reports, case notes · specialists.
Methods for collecting information may include: · advertising · electronic · interview · photographed and filmed evidence · pretext inquiries · questioning · researching public records · surveillance · testing of rumour · undercover operations · use of informants.
Business equipment and technology may include: · computers and software applications · databases · email · personal schedulers
· printers.
This competency is presented in two modules, and each criteria must be met in both:
Plan Factual Investigations
Plan Surveillance Investigations
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to develop and document an investigative plan. It requires an ability to assess the scope of the investigation, select a preferred investigative method based on client requirements and time, resource and legal parameters, and plan for contingencies in the conduct of the investigation.
This unit may form part of the licensing requirements for persons engaged in investigative work in those states and territories where these are regulated activities.
Application of the Unit
This unit of competency has application in a range of work roles in the investigative services industry. Work is performed under limited supervision and competency requires some judgement and decision-making. The knowledge and skills described in this unit are to be applied within relevant legislative
and organisational guidelines.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.
Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and/or the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.
1 Identify scope of investigation.
1.1 Assignment instructions and relevant information is obtained to review client and legislative requirements.
1.2 Clarification of instructions or further information is sought as required from relevant persons.
1.3 Necessary resources and equipment are identified and availability checked against assignment instructions and budget.
1.4 Limitations in conducting investigation are recognised and assistance sought as required from relevant persons.
2 Determine method of investigation.
2.1 An effective method of investigation is determined in accordance with assignment instructions, client brief and continuity of evidence requirements.
2.2 Background information and an assessment of benefits and limitations is conducted to confirm suitability of recommended investigative method.
2.3 Necessary modifications to investigative methods are identified and implemented where practicable based on an assessment of risk.
2.4 Proposed investigative method is discussed and confirmed with client using appropriate communication techniques.
3 Develop investigation plan.
3.1 Investigation plan is prepared based on assignment instructions, client requirements, and identified investigative methods and resources.
3.2 Plan includes identified sources and methods for collecting information which are valid, lawful, reliable and make efficient use of resources.
3.3 Plan incorporates contingency measures to maximise safety of self and others and preserve evidence in line with legislative requirements.
3.4 Investigation plan is recorded and documented using business equipment and technology and securely maintained with due regard to privacy.
As well as being assessed in the performance of the performance criteria above, you will have to display:
Required skills
· basic analysis · complete workplace documentation and reports · evaluate diverse or conflicting pieces of information
· identify and access relevant information from reliable sources · information technology · interview skills
· literacy skills to understand and communicate information (reading, writing, speaking, numeracy and listening)
· make discretionary decisions · numeracy skills to estimate time to complete work tasks and resource requirements
· personal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and varying physical and mental abilities
· planning · prioritise work tasks and complete activities within designated timeframes · problem solving and negotiation
· questioning to check understanding · research · risk assessment · surveillance.
Required knowledge
· basic investigation techniques · how to safeguard confidential information · how to use business equipment to present information which may be used as evidence · information management systems and methods · legal and ethical obligations with regard to the gathering and distribution of information · legislative requirements applicable to the conduct and reporting of investigations · legislative restrictions on the use of recording devices
· Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements for investigative activities · operational principles and capabilities of investigative equipment
· purpose, benefits and limitations of factual versus surveillance for investigations · reliable sources and methods for collecting information
· requirements for collecting, preserving and presenting evidence · requirements for continuity of evidence · standards and procedures for client service.
Range Statement
Assignment instructions may include: · assignment tasks and procedures · client brief and details · incident and security risk response procedures
· investigation purpose and objectives · investigation timeframe · methods of investigation · personal presentation requirements
· reporting and documentation requirements · resource and equipment allocations.
Relevant information may include: · acceptable modes of enquiry · audio or video recordings · cost schedules · evidence · investigative limitations and exclusions · maps, plans or schematics · photographs or drawings · sources of information and contact requirements · summary of case history.
Legislative requirements may relate to: · applicable commonwealth, state and territory legislation which affects investigative work
such as: · workplace safety · environmental issues · equal employment opportunity · industrial relations · anti-discrimination and diversity · Australian standards and quality assurance · authority to conduct investigation · award and enterprise agreements
· evidence collection · freedom of information · licensing arrangements and certification requirements · privacy requirements · relevant industry codes of practice · restrictions in the use of recording devices · surveillance and listening devices.
Relevant persons may include: · client · industry or government representatives · police · security personnel · supervisor or manager · technical specialist.
Resources and equipment may include: · 35mm camera · binoculars · computers, computer applications, modems · diary, note pads and pens · digital imaging equipment · e-mail, internet · facsimile · guise, torch, mirrors · measuring tape · mobile phone · night vision equipment · own time management · pager · personal hygiene aids · telephone directories, maps, street directories · telephoto lens · transcript recorder · transport · tripod · video camera · voice recorder.
Limitations may relate to: · compliance with safety requirements · current competence level · difficulties in meeting timelines · inability to fulfil own role and responsibilities · inadequate information to plan investigation · lack of resources · licensing requirements · technical expertise · understanding of assignment instructions · understanding of legal requirements.
Method of investigation may be: · factual investigation · surveillance · combination of factual investigation and surveillance.
Communication techniques may involve: · active listening · being non-judgemental · being respectful and non-discriminatory · control of tone of voice and body language · culturally aware and sensitive use of language and concepts · demonstrating flexibility and willingness to negotiate · effective verbal and non-verbal communication · maintaining professionalism · providing and receiving constructive feedback
· providing sufficient time for questions and responses · reflection, summarising and paraphrasing · two-way interaction · use of plain English
· use of positive, confident and cooperative language.
Background information may relate to: · legislation relating to conduct of surveillance · readily accessible information provided by relevant
persons · requirements for collecting evidence · research and preliminary enquiries · research of public records · use of surveillance equipment · verbal details and documents supplied by client.
Sources may include: · colleagues, supervisor, manager · government departments or agencies · industry networks · informants · internet
· interviews, meetings · library · police · related records, reports, case notes · specialists.
Methods for collecting information may include: · advertising · electronic · interview · photographed and filmed evidence · pretext inquiries · questioning · researching public records · surveillance · testing of rumour · undercover operations · use of informants.
Business equipment and technology may include: · computers and software applications · databases · email · personal schedulers
· printers.
This competency is presented in two modules, and each criteria must be met in both:
Plan Factual Investigations
Plan Surveillance Investigations