Area Canvass Flashcards
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
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.
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 a canvass phase
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.
Setting the objectives
The key to effective management of resources is planning and foresight. The OC Investigation in conjunction with their appointed OC Area Canvass should 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.
Identifying location parameters (7)
Relevant locations which may influence the setting of location parameters include:
- scenes, for example:
i. sites where victims, offenders or witnesses have been present
ii. sites where offences have taken place
iii. sites where vehicles, property or exhibits have been found - premises within the line of sight of scenes
- access and egress routes to and from scenes
- areas where an offender may have lain in wait
- location where the victim was last seen alive
- locations or premises frequented by the victim
- locations of similar or previous incidents identified by intelligence as having occurred in the same locality as the offence under investigation.
Risk assessment (4)
- 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.
Resources and canvass tools
The OC Area Canvass should seek to obtain suitable street maps, aerial photographs showing houses and the location of sections, geological information, local council records and other applicable references. Consideration can be given to open source Internet applications, Police intelligence systems and public libraries to obtain resources. Maps of New Zealand, including aerial photographs, are available through Google Maps and the Quality Analysis tools managed on Analysts’ Enterprise workstations.
Key points for team briefings (8)
- Summarise the situation and detail the duties and areas of responsibility of each canvass team member
- Emphasise the need for thoroughness and that every person in every household and visitors must be seen personally.
- Stress that the questionnaire is only a guide to ensure the questions are asked, but should be regarded as flexible in that information supplied could lead to other questions.
- 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.
- Consider visiting the canvass area to record every address including flats and vacant sections and then reconcile these premises with the map.
- Ensure all forms are completed, and actioned as outlined.
- Reconcile completed locations with the master copy to avoid duplication.
- Advise staff on:
• what action to take if they believe they have identified the suspect
• what action to take if they locate items of evidential value
• what action to take if individuals refuse to assist
• how to complete the correspondence flow
• what information can be disclosed during the area canvass (i.e. information in media releases or otherwise already in the public domain)
• what information must not be disclosed.
Monitoring progress (1,abcd)+4
As each household is completed, the OC Area Canvass should shade in a map to maintain a quick up-to-date record of the areas canvassed. A similar map, updated daily, should be retained at the Operation Headquarters.
- In addition, the OC Area Canvass should continually review completed canvass forms as they are submitted, in order to:
a. evaluate the quality of completed work and provide quality assurance
b. identify lines of enquiry to be highlighted to the 2IC
c. monitor ongoing progress of the canvass
d. 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:
- which addresses have been visited,
- which occupants interviewed,
- the documentation completed,
- and any relevant comments made.
Points to consider (8)
• Use of experts • Use of an aide-memoir and script • Leaflets • Other options i. Media. ii. Poster campaign. iii. Mail drop. iv. High profile police presence, using a caravan.
Final report
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.
