Area Canvass Flashcards
Purpose of an area canvass
Often links exist between the scene, offender, victim and witness. A structured and methodical area canvass, therefore, presents a high likelihood of identifying the offender, associates of the offender, or evidence and establish significant facts
Main objectives of an area canvass
- Identifying the offender
- identifying witnesses
- identifying evidence (weapons, vehicles, clothing)
- gathering information
Other benefits of the area canvas
- sightings of the victim
- sightings of the relevant property
- sightings of potential witnesses
- creating the opportunity for an early arrest
Why review and area canvass
Must be reviewed regularly as new evidence is gathered and amended. Subsequent canvasses of the same area s may be required as new facts are established. The picture generated by the subsequent canvass should be compared with the original one and differences investigated
Reconnaissance
OC investigation, OC area canvass, OC suspects should attend the genera l scene as soon as practicable to conduct an appreciation and set parameters and objectives.
Timing of a canvass
The area canvass will usually be conducted when Police first attend the incident. A more formal canvass will normally follow and revisits are common. Sometimes a canvass will be conducted at the same time as the original offence to capture people who regularly ass through the area at that time of day
Identifying location parameters
Scene
- sites where offenses have taken place
- sites were victims, offenders present
- sites where evidence located
- premises in line of sight with the scene
- locations where the victim frequented
- locations where the offender may have lain in wait
- routes to and from the scene
Risk assessment
- violent offenders
- persons wanted by Police
- groups with linguistic needs
- local issues people want to raise with police
Time parameters
- The offence (When it occurred)
- the scene (when people visited)
- Sightings of the victims, offender, witness
- previous residents
identifying witnesses who may have witnessed:
- events connected to an incident
- sightings of the victim
- sightings of potential witnesses
- sightings of vehicles or the relevant property
Canvass questionnaires
Investigators should use a prescribed questionnaire to incorporate the circumstances of the particular offence. In cases where there is more specific material more specific questions may be required. The quality of the information gathered reflects the quality of the questionnaire. Care must be taken not to divulge information only known to Police and the offender that may allow others to make their own enquiries
Key points for team briefings
- Summarize and detail taskings for each area canvass team member
- emphasize the need for thoroughness and every person at an address needs to spoken to.
- Stress the questionnaire is a guideline that can be flexible
- any information that is thought to be of probative value needs to be obtained in a FWS
Team motivation
Team motivation can be kept up by updating the team with the progress of the investigation and how the area canvass is contributing to the overall investigation as well as other phases
OC Area canvass to monitor completed forms to
- evaluate the quality of work completed
- establish new lines of enquiry
- monitor the ongoing progress of the canvass
- facilitate the detailed recording of progress
Master record contains
- Addresses visited
- occupants interviewed
relevant comments made - documentation completed
