20281
28-Jun-16
1 of 5
POLICE FORENSIC MAPPING
Demonstrate knowledge of forensic
mapping
level:
2
credit:
3
planned review date:
April 2006
sub-field:
Police
purpose:
This unit standard is intended for sworn or warranted police
officers. People credited with this unit standard are able to:
explain police forensic mapping and surveying; demonstrate
knowledge of the principles of trigonometry in order to solve
problems; describe the distinction between accuracy and
precision in measurement in the context of police forensic
mapping; demonstrate knowledge of police forensic mapping
best practice in relation to accuracy and tolerance in
measurement; demonstrate knowledge of the co-ordinates
system as it relates to forensic mapping; demonstrate
knowledge of the requirements of forensic mapping for the
New Zealand Police; and calculate unknown distances or
locations.
entry information:
Recommended: Unit 5236, Use Pythagoras’ Theorem and
trigonometry to solve problems involving right-angled
triangles; and Unit 5251, Solve problems modelled by
triangles, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation by NZQA and industry.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed national moderation
system has been set up by The Skills Organisation.
special notes:
1
A forensic map is one where a plan is prepared
recording items of evidence for use in the event of
judicial proceedings.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20281
28-Jun-16
2 of 5
POLICE FORENSIC MAPPING
Demonstrate knowledge of forensic
mapping
2
Police general instructions and best practice guides and
codes of conduct relating to traffic crash reporting,
investigation and forensic mapping apply to this unit
standard.
3
Legislation applying to this unit standard may include
but is not limited to the Cadastral Survey Act 2002,
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Police Act
1958, Transit New Zealand Act 1989, Trespass Act
1980, and all regulations related to these acts.
4
For additional information refer to:
Elfick, Fryer, Brinker & Wolf Elementary Surveying 8th
edition. Hammersmith, London: HarperCollins, 1994.
5
Unit 20286, Identify and report on causative and/or
related events in a traffic crash, details the work
discipline of traffic crash investigation that is a
complimentary study to forensic mapping. As these two
disciplines work closely together it is recommended that
candidates seeking credit for this unit standard also
seek credit for unit standard 20286.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Explain police forensic mapping and surveying.
performance criteria
1.1
The origins of surveying are explained.
1.2
The origins of police forensic mapping are explained.
1.3
The police approach to forensic mapping and how its application differs from
surveying is explained.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20281
28-Jun-16
3 of 5
POLICE FORENSIC MAPPING
Demonstrate knowledge of forensic
mapping
element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of trigonometry in order to solve problems.
performance criteria
2.1
Problems based on obtaining length of missing sides or internal angles of
triangles are solved.
element 3
Describe the distinction between accuracy and precision in measurement in the context of
police forensic mapping.
performance criteria
3.1
Accuracy in measurement is defined in the context of police forensic mapping.
3.2
Precision in measurement is defined in the context of police forensic mapping.
element 4
Demonstrate knowledge of police forensic mapping best practice in relation to accuracy
and tolerance in measurement.
performance criteria
4.1
Prescribed accuracy and tolerance standards for distance and angular
measurement are defined, explained and demonstrated.
Range:
distances, bearing and height.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20281
28-Jun-16
4 of 5
POLICE FORENSIC MAPPING
Demonstrate knowledge of forensic
mapping
element 5
Demonstrate knowledge of the co-ordinates system as it relates to forensic mapping.
performance criteria
5.1
Co-ordinates as they relate to latitude, longitude, northings and eastings are
identified and described.
5.2
Points on a Cartesian projection are read and located.
5.3
The derivation of bearings and distances from co-ordinates is demonstrated.
5.4
Differences between magnetic and geographical north are identified and
demonstrated.
element 6
Demonstrate knowledge of the requirements of forensic mapping for the New Zealand
Police.
performance criteria
6.1
The responsibilities of the individual involved in the forensic mapping of a crime
scene are identified.
6.2
Requirements for the forensic mapping of a crime scene are identified.
Range:
includes but is not limited to – briefing notes, job sheets.
6.3
Requirements for hard copy plans or sketches of a crime scene are identified
and explained.
6.4
Information borders on the forensic map are identified and described.
Range:
symbols, line types, legend.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20281
28-Jun-16
5 of 5
POLICE FORENSIC MAPPING
Demonstrate knowledge of forensic
mapping
element 7
Calculate unknown distances or locations.
performance criteria
7.1
Missing angles are determined by triangulation calculations and checked
independently in accordance with trigonometry principles.
7.2
Distance to an object that cannot be physically reached is determined.
7.3
Location of an object that cannot be physically reached is determined.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact The Skills Organisation info@skills.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes
to the content of this unit standard.
Please Note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated interinstitutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards
or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to
develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and
assessors, and special resource requirements.
This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0121 which can be accessed at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/site/framework/search.html.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016