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

Perform forensic art 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243258  Perform forensic art 
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 
This unit standard will enable learners to practice forensic art in order to identify facials in identity related incidents. The learner will understand facial anatomy, proportion, perspective and the biological variations of age, race and sex. Furthermore the learner will be able to apply witness memory and interviewing techniques as well as give courtroom testimony. Art techniques, art materials, equipment and references files will be used.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Use and apply facial anatomy constructs in forensic art.
  • Sketch and reconstruct a human face for the purpose of identification.
  • Sketch a postmortem facial drawing. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Art at NQF Level 4.
  • Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • For the purpose of this unit standard manipulation is allowed in the context of gathering information to enable the learner to draw and sketch facial features.
  • In this unit standard given situation may refer to but is not limited to a structured scenario, a case study and a virtual presentation, actual or real situation. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Use and apply facial anatomy constructs in forensic art. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The skull is assessed, as the architectural form of the head, in order to determine the basis of the unique features of an individual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The muscles of the face are described in order to establish what interrelationships exist which contribute to the forming of the face. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The interrelationship includes how wrinkles are formed by the different muscles of the face.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The facial features and shapes of head is identified using gathered information pertaining to the anatomy of the cranium. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The complexity of human anthropomorphic diversity is analysed in order to establish distinguishing facial features. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Diversity must include reference to the following:
  • Race: Caucasoid, Negroid, Mongoloid (for example: Chinese, Japanese, American Indians, Asians and Eskimos).
  • Gender.
  • Facial expressions.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Sketch and reconstruct a human face for the purpose of identification. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Sketching may include computer assisted sketching or manual sketching. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A composite drawing is developed in order to identify a person taking into account influencing factors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Drawing must include a frontal view.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A lateral profile is composed in order to identify a person. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Interview techniques are demonstrated in a given situation in order to obtain information for the reconstruction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Age progression of a facial image is applied in a sketch in order to identify a person. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Application may be done either by hand or using computer-generated methods or a combination of both.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Sketch a postmortem facial drawing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principles of forensic taphonomy are explained in the context of post mortem drawings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A post-mortem drawing is made in a given situation. 


    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.

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

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Terminology and concepts:
  • Forensic taphonomy such as post-mortem stages, rigor mortis; livor mortis; algor mortis; decomposition; impact of insects and animals; bloating; slack jaw; palpebral changes; facial trauma.
  • Photography.
  • Valuable information: age-progression, growth, family likeness and unique features and facial patterns influenced by heredity, craniofacial growth (particularly the amount the lower face develops from the child to the adult), eruption patterns during the age progression and in particular from child to adult.
  • Facial aging (including changes by the decade) in the adult.

    Definitions:
  • Forensic art is any art that aids in the identification, apprehension, or conviction of criminal offenders, or that aids in the location of victims or identification of unknown deceased persons.
  • Composite images are made up from the combination of individually described component parts (may include full body drawings or object/evidence drawings).
  • Composite art or drawing is a freehand drawing made up by combining various parts into a single graphic image based on the description of a crime victim or witness.
  • Image modification and identification are methods of enhancement, comparison, and categorization of photographic images.
  • Demonstrative evidence is visual information for case presentation in court as trial displays.

    Relevant sections of the following Acts:
  • The Human Tissue Act 65 of 1983.
  • The National Health Act 61 of 2003.
  • The Inquests Act 58 of 1959.
  • The Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992.
  • The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
  • The Occupational Health And Safety Act 85 of1993.

    Assessment of the skull into the:
  • Neurocranium.
  • Splanchnocranium.
  • The frontal bones (supraorbital ridge or superciliary arch).
  • The periatal bones.
  • The occipital bone.
  • Nuchal crest.
  • Foramen mahnum.
  • Temporal bones.
  • Zygomatic arches.
  • Maxillae, nasal bones.
  • Mandible.
  • Temporomandibular joint.
  • Ligaments.
  • The ramus.
  • Coronoid process.
  • The condyle.
  • Alterations caused by nutrition, illness of injury.

    Influencing factors may refer to features from genders and races such as: Caucasoid; Negroid; Mongoloid, verbal descriptions from a witness, facial features, the eyes, the nose, the mouth, the ears and also scars, marks, tattoos or anomalies, Hair (including various types of hair: short, long, thin, curly, kinky, straight, and other textures, wetness or oiliness look), Glossy or shiny lips, Noticeable skin texture, head gear (hats with and without brims and caps), glasses (with different placement). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving is covered in that a learner must be able to establish circumstances or cause of death, as well as assist with the identification of skeletonised remains. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working in a team when assisting the expert in a forensic investigative environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Learners are required to collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to Forensic Anthropology in a forensic investigative environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Learners are required to communicate accurate information about issues of Forensic Anthropology relating to the scene of death using a variety of communication methods. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Learners are required to use science and technology in the collection and analysis of forensic evidence. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Learners are required to see the world as a set of related systems in that, when they are problem solving at a scene of death, their actions may affect the outcome of the investigation. 

    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.