09) - Area Canvas Flashcards
The main objectives of an area canvass may include:
- Identifying Witnesses
- Identifying the Offender
- Identifying and locating Evidence
- Gathering Information.
What are some of the other benefits of an area canvass?
- Opportunity for early arrest
- Develop lines of inquiry
- Eliminating persons of interest or vehicles
- Sightings of victim etc
Identifying location parameters
Relevant locations which may influence the setting of location parameters include:
- Sites where Offences have taken place
- Locations or premises Frequented by the victim
- Sites where vehicles, property or exhibits have been Found
- Locations where the victim was last seen Alive
- Sites where victims, offenders or witnesses have been Present
- Access and egress routes to and from scenes
- Premises within the line of sight of scenes
Timing of a canvass phase
An initial area canvass will normally be conducted when Police first attend the incident. A formal area canvass will normally follow and re-visits are frequently required to capture persons who were not present during the earlier canvass enquiries.
In some cases, the area canvass should be conducted at the same time as the original offence occurred, to capture people who regularly pass through that area at that time of the day, e.g. a homicide of a person in a park in the early hours of the morning.
Reconnaissance
The OC Investigation, OC Area Canvass and OC Suspects should attend the external/general scene as soon as practicable, to make a reconnaissance of the area and conduct an appreciation and set the parameters and objectives of the canvass.
This will also provide a clear perspective of the area, when it is referred to subsequently in statements and/or briefings.
Risk assessment
Once the location parameters are set, intelligence systems should be analysed to establish whether there are any people or events in the area which those carrying out the enquiries should be aware of.
This may include:
- violent offenders
- persons wanted by police for other crimes or wanted on warrant
- groups with particular linguistic or cultural needs
- local incidents or issues which residents may raise with Police.
Key points for team briefings
- Summarise situation
- Emphasise need for thoroughness
- Advise staff on action to take in different situations
- Stress that questionnaire is a guide only
- Ensure all forms completed
- Take FWS when required
Monitoring progress
A detailed master record of ongoing progress should be continually maintained and updated by the OC Area Canvass, showing:
- Places visited
- Persons spoken to
- The documentation completed
- Relevant comments made
Other options
Consideration can be given to using the approaches outlined below or a combination of them, to complement door to door enquiries:
- Media
- Mail drop
- Poster campaign
- High profile police presence, using a caravan.
Debriefing
At the conclusion of the area canvass a thorough debrief must be carried out.
This may include confirming such aspects as:
- relevant information provided by persons seen
- identity of any suspects
- whether persons have a credible alibi
- whether any issues arose that could improve future performance in canvass enquiries.
Final report
The report should include;
- Any significant Findings highlighted
- A summary of all Action taken
- Attention drawn to any Action which was outside of the original phase strategy
