9 - Area Canvas Flashcards
Purpose of area canvass
Often links exist between the scene of a crime and the offender, victim and witnesses. A methodically conducted area canvass therefore presents a high likelihood of identifying or contacting the offender, an associate of the offender, significant witnesses, identifying evidence or exhibits and establishing significant facts
Objectives of area canvass
- identifying the offender
- identifying and locating evidence, such as vehicles, discarded clothing, weapons and other articles
- identifying witnesses
- gathering information
Other benefits of area canvass
- sightings of V or O before or after the event
- sightings of relevant property or vehicles
- sightings of potential witnesses
- creating opportunity for early arrest through early ID of O
Reconnaissance
OC investigation, OC area canvass and OC suspects should attend the general scene ASAP to make a recon of the area and conduct an appreciation and set the parameters and objectives of the canvass.
Timing of the area canvass
In some cases, the canvass should take place at the same time as the offence occurred, to capture people who regularly frequent the area at that time.
Identifying location parameters
Relevant locations which may influence the setting of location parameters:
- Scenes
- Premises within the line of sight of scenes
- access and egress routes to and from scenes
- areas where an offender may have lain in wait
- location where the victim was last seen
- locations or premises frequented by the victim
Risk assessment when carrying out area canvass
Establish whether there are any people or events in the area that staff should be aware of, such as:
- 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, details duties and areas of responsibility for each canvas member
- Emphasise the need for thoroughness and that every person in every household and visitors must be seen personally
- Stress that questionnaire is only a guide, but should be regarded as flexible
- Advise that evidence of possible probative value must be obtained in a formal written statement rather than notebook form
- Ensure all forms are completed
- Visit canvass area to record every address and then reconcile with maps
How to keep staff morale up
OC area canvass should ensure staff morale remains high and this can be achieved by:
- Providing regular feedback on the way canvass enquiries are contributing to the progress of the investigation and,
- updates on the progress being made with other phases of the enquiry
Purpose of OC canvass reviewing completed canvass forms
- evaluate quality of completed work and provide quality assurance
- identify lines of enquiry to be highlighted to the 2IC
- monitor ongoing progress of the canvass
- facilitate the detailed recording of progress
What should the detailed master record show
- which addresses have been visited
- which occupants interviewed
- the documentation completed
- any relevant comments made
Points to consider that may benefit area canvass
- use of experts
- use of an aid-memoir and script
- Leaflets
- Media
- Poster campaign
- Mail drop
What to include in debriefing after area canvass
- key locations where door to door enquiries were made
- parameters of initial police activity
- what questions asked
- what records have been completed
- who has been spoken to at what address
- any intel obtained
What to include in final report
Must submit report to OC investigation, report should include:
- summary of all action taken
- any significant findings highlighted
- attention drawn to any action that has been taken which was outside of the original phase strategy
