Part 9 - Area Canvass Enquiries Flashcards
What is the purpose of an area canvass?
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
Main objectives of an area canvass
- identifying the offender
- identifying and locating evidence
- identifying witnesses
- gathering information
Other benefits of an area canvass
- Sightings of the victim or offender before or after the event
- Sightings of relevant property or vehicles
- Sightings of potential witnesses
- creating the opportunity for an early arrest through early identification of the offender
Reconnaissance
The OC Investigation, Area Canvass and Suspects should attend the external/general scene as soon as practicable to:
- make a reconnaissance of the area
- conduct an appreciation
- set the parameters and objectives of the canvass
Timing of a canvass phase
Why is it important in some cases to conduct area canvass at the same time as the offence?
Must know
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
Identifying location parameters
Parameters must be adequate and relevant to achieving the investigation objectives.
Relevant locations include:
- scenes where victims or offenders have been present
- scenes where offences have taken place
- scenes where vehicles, property, exhibits found
-premises within the line of sight of scenes
Risk assessment
Must know
Once the location parameters are set, a risk assessment must be conducted and intelligence systems should be analysed to establish whether there are any people or events in the area which the enquiry team 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
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
Team motivation
How can OC area canvass keep morale up in staff?
Must know
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
Monitoring progress
What matters do OC area canvass record in a detailed master record?
Must know
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 have been interviewed
- the documentation completed
- any relevant comments made
Consideration can be given to using the approaches outlined below to complement door to door enquiries:
- Media
- Poster campaign
- Mail drop
- High profile police presence, using a caravan
Final report
Must know
At the conclusion of the area canvass the OC must submit a report to the OC Investigation outlining the circumstances of this particular aspect of the investigation.
The report should include;
- a summary of all action taken
- any significant findings highlighted and
- attention drawn to any action taken which was outside of the original phase strategy
