Area Canvas Flashcards
Responsibilities of OC Area Canvas
3 points
Ensure the canvass is conducted thoroughly and recorded accurately.
Ensure team remains focused, efficient use of resources, return of relevant and manageable information and material.
Review- An area canvass must be regularly reviewed as new evidence is gathered and amended accordingly.
The main objectives of an area canvass may include:
- identifying the offender
- identifying and locating evidence, such as vehicles, discarded clothing, weapons and other articles
- identifying witnesses
- gathering information.
- sightings of :
- the victim or offender before or after the event
- relevant property or vehicles
- potential witnesses
- obtaining key information to drive the investigation or develop lines of enquiry
- eliminating unidentified vehicles or persons reported by other witnesses
- obtaining an accurate record of the local community.
Getting Ready for an Area Canvas
Preparation, Reconnaissance, and Appreciation
Preparation- Area Canvas Checklist
Reconnaissance - to conduct appreciation, set parameters, establish objectives.
Appreciation - carefully consider to what extent and for what purpose the canvass is being carried out. The simple question to be asked is WHY?
Getting Ready for an Area Canvas
Timing of the canvas
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.
In some circumstances it may be necessary to conduct a canvass phase covertly, such as to identify persons who may avoid a particular area if they were aware of police presence.
Getting Ready for an Area Canvas
Setting the objective
Develop a clear strategy with realistic objectives, communicated to all those involved in the process so they understand what, where, why and how they are to achieve the objectives.
The strategy, including parameters of the canvass, should be approved by the OC Investigation before the canvass commences.
Getting Ready for an Area Canvas
Identifying Location Parameters
All available information has been analysed to identify locations which are significant to the investigation, and the users of those locations.
Relevant locations which may influence the setting of location parameters include:
- scenes,
- sites where victims, offenders or witnesses have been
- sites where vehicles, property or exhibits have been found
- access and egress routes to and from scenes
Getting Ready for an Area Canvas
Risk Assessment
4 points
Intelligence systems should be analysed to establish
- 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.
Getting Ready for an Area Canvas
Identifying time parameters
4 points
Time parameters should be set for:
- the offence (i.e. times between which the offence is thought to have occurred)
- the scene (i.e. times when people visited the scene)
- sightings (i.e. times at which a victim, other witness or offender was seen at particular locations)
- previous residents and visitors at the scene
Getting Ready for an Area Canvas
Questionnaires
The standard questionnaire Form A and Form B are recommended, depending on the circumstances.
A detailed master record of progress should be continually maintained and updated by the OC Area Canvass.
Part A form - 1 per dwelling, details of all residents and vehicles
Part B - specific form per person, full details, relevant questionnaire. FWS to follow if required.
During Canvas
Points to consider and cover during team briefings ?
SEIPA
Summarise situation, duties of members.
Emphasise thoroughness, speaking to every person
Questionnaire is guideline - be investigators.
Statements required from good witnesses
Complete all forms
What to do if locate suspect, evidence, hostility, media, etc.
During Canvas
Team motivation
MFWCEEL
The 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, together with updates on the progress being made with other phases of the enquiry.
Monitor welfare, maintain control, morale, enthusiasm and efficiency.
logistical considerations for the Area Canvass team includes provision for toileting, meals and refreshments.
During Canvas
Points to Consider that may benefit an area canvass.
EAL MP MP
- Use of experts
- Use of an aide- memoir and script
- Leaflets
- Media.
- Poster campaign.
- Mail drop.
- High profile police presence, using a caravan.
Post Canvas
At the conclusion of the area canvass a thorough debrief must be carried out. This may include confirming such aspects as:
K 3I PO
key locations and parameters
questions asked
issues ID’d
who has been spoken
relevant information
any intelligence obtained
whether witness interviews/statements have been conducted
identity of any suspects
details of premises where there was no response
paperwork completed
future improvements
