Area Canvass

Question 1

Describe two types of information that can be obtained from police intelligence systems when carrying out a risk assessment during the planning phase for an area canvass?

Answer 1

V WIG

V •Violent offenders

W• Persons wanted by police for other crimes or wanted on warrant
I• local incidents or issues which residents may raise with Police
G• groups with particular linguistic or cultural needs

Question 2

List four resources or tools that the OC area canvass should seek to assist the canvass?

Answer 2

OC PIG MAP

O. Officers local knowledge
C. Local council records and other applicable references

P. Police intelligence systems
I. Open source internet applications
G. Geological information

M. Suitable street maps
A. Aerial photographs showing houses and the location of sections
P. Public libraries

Question 3

Timing of a canvass phase:

Answer 3

In some cases, the area canvass should be conducted at the same time of the day that original offence occurred, to capture people who regularly pass through the area at that time of day. e.g. a homicide of a person in a park in the early hours of the morning

Question 4

In addition to door to door enquiries during the area canvass phase, what other approaches can also be used to obtain information from the public?

Answer 4

MPMPS

M* Media 
P* Poster campaign 
M* Mail drop 
P* High profile police presence, using a caravan
S* Social Media e.g. Facebook

Question 5

During a briefing of an area canvass what is the appropriate instruction to give staff who may speak to a witness who has evidence of possible probative value?

Answer 5

Advise that evidence of possible probative value must be obtained in a formal written statement rather than notebook form. Note: The questionnaire must
be endorsed, if a statement is taken.

Question 6

Other benefits of conducting an area canvass include:

Answer 6

VIEW APP

V• sightings of the victim or offender before or after the event
I• obtaining key information to drive the investigation or develop lines of enquiry
E• eliminating unidentified vehicles or persons reported by other witnesses
W• sightings of potential witnesses

A• early arrest through early identification of the offender
P• sightings of relevant property or vehicles
P• promoting awareness of significant occurrences

Question 7

Canvass phase – Team motivation:

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Canvass phase – Monitoring progress:

Answer 8

the OC Area Canvass should continually review completed canvass forms as they are submitted, in order to:
E• evaluate the quality of completed work and provide quality assurance
I• identify lines of enquiry to be highlighted to the 2IC
M• monitor ongoing progress of the canvass
F• facilitate the detailed recording of progress.

A detailed master record of ongoing progress should be continually maintained and
updated by the OC Area Canvass, showing:
D• documentation completed,
O• which occupants interviewed,
R• any relevant comments made.
A• which addresses have been visited,

Question 9

Canvass phase – Final report:

Answer 9

At the conclusion of the area canvass the OC Area Canvass must submit a report to the OC Investigation outlining the circumstances of this Canvass phase of the investigation.

The report should include:

• A summary of all action taken
• Any significant findings highlighted
• And attention drawn to any action that has been undertaken which was outside of the original phase strategy.

Question 10

What is the purpose of a forensic strategy meeting?

Answer 10

Forensic Strategy meetings are held to determine what examinations ESR and others experts could conduct on exhibits and the priority the examinations should receive.

The purpose is also to determine whether any further work is needed to assist reconstruction and if so a plan for the work to be completed.

Question 11

Upon the completion of a forensic strategy meeting what two matters must the OC exhibits record on the exhibits register?

Answer 11

• types of examinations to be conducted, and

- the priority allocated to the examination of each exhibit.