Area Canvass

Question 1

Responsibilities of the OC area canvas?

Answer 1

To ensure AC conducted thoroughly and recorded accurately.

Ensure the team remains focused, is efficient use of resources and return relevant, manageable information.

Question 2

Main objectives of area canvas?

Answer 2

ID offender
ID and locate evidence (vehicles, clothing, weapons)
ID witnesses
Gathering information

Question 3

Other benefits of an area canvas?

Answer 3

Sightings of:

• victim/offender before or after event
• relevant property or vehicles
• potential witnesses

Creating opportunity for early arrest through ID of offender.
Obtaining key information
Promoting awareness
Eliminating vehicles or persons reported by other witnesses.
Obtaining an accurate record of the local community.

Question 4

What factors should the OC area canvas consider during an appreciation?

Answer 4

All available and relevant information including:
Information generated by initial house to house enquiries. 
The reason enquiries were made
Locations involved
Parameters covered 
Questions asked
Staff involved 
Records kept
Persons spoken too.
Alibi details
Vehicles owned
Statements taken
Intelligence obtained
ID of any suspect or POI.

Question 5

List locations which may influence the setting of canvas parameters.

Answer 5

Sites where witnesses, victims or offenders have been present.
Sites where offenses committed
Sites where vehicles, property or exhibits found
Premises within line of site of scene
Access and egress routes
Areas where offender may have lain in wait
Victim last seen alive
Frequented by victim
Locations of similar or previous incidents.

Question 6

List time parameters that should be considered in an area canvas?

Answer 6

The offense
The scene
Sightings
Previous residents and visitors at the scene
Consideration of people's work times

Question 7

Key points for area canvas team brief.

Answer 7

• summarize and detail duties/ responsibilities
• emphasize need for thoroughness
• stress questionnaire is only a guide.
• advise formal written statements must be obtained from witnesses.
• Consider reconciling physical addresses with map.
• Ensure all forms completed and auctioned
• reconcile completed Locations with master copy
• advise staff on immediate actions if suspect, evidence, refusals located, and what information should/should not be disclosed.

Question 8

Aspects that should be covered in a canvas debrief?

Answer 8

• Key locations visited
• parameters of initial police activity
• questions asked and perceived issues
• records completed
• who spoken to each address
• whether descriptions taken of persons seen
• whether NIA checks completed for each person seen
• relevant information provided by persons
• intelligence obtained
• persons with credible alibi
• statements taken
• Details of persons residing/present at premises
• suspect IDs
• no response premises
• confirm all notebooks accounted for
• issues that arose for future performance

Question 9

Part A questionnaire?

Answer 9

Copy needed for each dwelling, flat or vacant section.
Revords:
- street
- number
- Details of all residents
- Details of all visitors at time of offense
- vehicles used

Question 10

Part B questionnaire?

Answer 10

Is the questionnaire used in the investigation. 
Records:
- Personal details 
- home details
- work details
- answers to specific questions