Area Canvass Flashcards
What is an area canvass?
Serves to identify evidence and information that may assist the investigation. It must be approached in a methodical manner using a strategy centred around key locations identified by a thorough analysis of the available information. The area canvass must be timely, flexible and tactical.
Purpose
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
- Identifying the offender
- Identifying and locating evidence, such as vehicles, discarded clothing, weapons, and other articles
- Identifying witnesses
- Gathering information
Other benefits include: sightings of victim, offender prior to or after event, vehicles and property, potential witnesses, obtaining key information to drive investigation, eliminating information
Appreciation
The appreciation should take into account all available and relevant information including all information generated by initial ‘house to house’ enquiries. This appreciation may include reason the enquiries were made, location involved, parameters covered, questions asked, staff involved, records kept, vehicles owned, and the identity of any suspects or persons of interest.
The simple question to be asked is why?
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.
Timing of Canvass
An initial area canvass is normally conducted when Police first attend the incident. A formal area canvass will normally follow and revisits are frequently required to capture persons who were not present.
Parametres
Relevant locations which may influence the setting location of parameters include:
- scenes: sites where victims, offenders or witnesses have been present, sites where offences have taken place, sites where vehicles, property or exhibits have been found.
- premises within line of sight of scenes
- area where an offender may have lain in wait
- location where victim was last scene alive
Time parameters should be set for?
- Time when the offence occurred
- Time when the people visited the scene
- Sightings of people involved
- Consideration of peoples varying work times
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.
Team Motivation
It is essential staff remain focused and alert to the possibilities that the person they are speaking to could be a vital witness, or even the offender. 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.
Questionnaire
To ensure relevant information is gathered in a consistent manner during an area canvass. Investigators should use a proscribed questionnaire to incorporate the circumstances of the offence.
OC Investigation is responsible for authorising the questionnaire.
Care must be taken to ensure that the questions asked do not divulge information that is only known to Police and the offender, or information that may allow media or others to undertake their own enquiries.
Briefings
- Summarise situation
- Emphasise need for thoroughness
- Questionnaire is only a guide, flexible that info could lead to other questions
- Questionnaire must be endorsed if a statement is taken
- Reconcile completed locations
- Ensure all forms are completed
Advise staff on what action to take if they believing they have identified the suspect, action to take if they locate items of evidential value, what action to take if individuals refuse to assist
Points to Consider that may Benefit an Area Canvass
- Use of experts
- Use of an aide-memoir and script
- Leaflets
- Other: media, poster campaign, mail drop
Whatever options are decided upon, studies reveal that up to 40% of occupants within the area canvass zones could be ‘unknowingly witnesses’ to an element of the crime.
Debrief
- Key locations where enquires have been undertaken
- What questions were asked and any issues from residents
- Who was spoken to at what address
- Whether NIA checks were completed
- Any intelligence obtained
- Whether persons have credible alibi
- Identity of any suspects
- Details of premises where there was no response
Final Report
At the conclusion of the area canvass the Phase OC must submit a report to he OC Investigation outlining the circumstances of this particular aspect of the investigation. It should include: a summary of all action taken, any significant findings and attention drawn to any action that has been undertaken which was outside the original phase strategy.
