Area canvass Flashcards
What is the purpose of an area canvas
Often links between the scene of a crime, offenders, victims and witnesses exist. A Methodical area canvas will therefore present a high chance that the offender and associated offenders will be identified and located.
What is the responsibilities of the OC area canvass
To make sure that the area canvass has been conducted and information recorded accurately. they must also make suret eh the team is fully brief and informed of the importance of the canvass and all info is obtained accurately.
What are the four objective of an area Canvas
- Identify the offender
- Identify and locate evidence
- Identify witnesses
- gather info.
What are some other benefits of area canvas
- Sightening of victim, witnesses, vehicle
- Potential identify intangible evidence such as CCTv footage
- Promoting awareness and reassurance to the area of the incident has taken place,
- Obtaining an accurate record of the area. The area maybe different to that whcih is shown on google maps.
Before conducting an area canvass what are some of the things to consider
Reconnaissance
-The oc area and investigations should visit the area of the incident and view the area and then make an appreciation
Appreciation
-they should act on the information and knowledge of the local area as to where the offender may have conme from and where they ahve gone in relation to set the boundaries of the canvass and what is to be done
Timings
An appreciation should be considered into the timing of the canvas. A decision maybe to do one at a certain time as this may reveal potential witnesses that do not live in the area but frequent the area at a cetrtain time.
boundaries
-As discussed set boundaries as best as belif to the information on hand and local knowldge
Risk assessment
Identify any known violent offenders in the aera and make sure canvas conducted safely.
Who is responsible for area questionaire
Oc investigation
What are the two forms for an area canvas
Part A Form
This form outlines who resides at the address and who frequents the address and who may have been present at the time and vehicles used by those occupants
Part B form
Is the form for individuals spoken to and the questionaire.
What are some of the thngs the OC area canvas should brief their staff
- What action to take if they believe they identify tehs uspect
- What action to take if they identify any evidential material
- What action to take if individuals refuse to assist
- What information can be disclosed and what can’t be disclosed.
A master record is created during an area canvass. What things should be recorded in this record
- Which address have been visited
- Who has been spoken to
- the documentation completed
- Any relevant comments made
What other things can be done to assist with the area canvass and help identify the offender and evidence
- Use of experts ie behavioural science.
- Leafklets
- Media releases
Outline the ten steps to the area canvas from start to finish
- Obtain suitable streets and maps of the area showing houses and sections
- Visit and inspect the area and note the houses and apartments and advise OC of the extent of action to be taken, the parameters and assess staffing and ttransport
- Reconcile the area to be convassed using a map
- In conjunction with the OC investigation develope a plan outlining the area to be canvassed, objectives, risks witnesses, offender, exhibits and questionaire.
- Fully brief staff
- Ensue all forms are complete
- shade in the map as the area is complete
- Create an excel spread sheet with the houses canvassed, the occupants within those houses, who has been spoken to and any relevant coments
- Visist team member and monitor moral and safety
- Attend investigation conferences
