Area Canvass Enquiries in Homicide or Serious Crime Investigations Flashcards
Purpose of area canvass
Of note only
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.
(WOE-I)
Objectives
The main objectives of an area canvass may include:
- Identifying Witnesses
- Identifying the Offender
- Identifying and locating Evidence
- Gathering Information.
(ODES)
What are some of the other benefits of an area canvass?
- Opportunity for early arrest
- Develop lines of inquiry
- Eliminating persons of interest or vehicles
- Sightings of victim etc
Reconnaissance
Of note only
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
Of note only
An initial area canvass will normally be conducted when Police first attend the incident. A formal area canvass will normally follow and re-visits are frequently required to capture persons who were not present during the earlier canvass enquiries.
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.
(OFFA-PAP)
Identifying location parameters
Relevant locations which may influence the setting of location parameters include:
- Sites where Offences have taken place
- Locations or premises Frequented by the victim
- Sites where vehicles, property or exhibits have been Found
- Locations where the victim was last seen Alive
- Sites where victims, offenders or witnesses have been Present
- Access and egress routes to and from scenes
- Premises within the line of sight of scenes
Of note
Specialist Police units such as the Behavioural Science Unit or criminal or geographic profilers may be consulted to assist with setting parameters or identifying locations where suspects are likely to frequent or to reside.
(OWLL)
Risk assessment
Once the location parameters are set, intelligence systems should be analysed to establish whether there are any people or events in the area which those carrying out the enquiries should be aware of.
This may include:
- Violent Offenders
- Wanted persons
- Groups with particular Linguistic or cultural needs
- Local incidents or issues which residents may raise with Police.
(SAGL)
Resources and canvass tools
- Street maps
- Aerial photographs showing houses and the location of sections
- Geological information
- Local council records
(TEASES)
Key points for team briefings
- Take FWS when required
- Emphasise need for thoroughness
- Advise staff on action to take in different situations
- Stress that questionnaire is a guide only
- Ensure all forms completed
- Summarise situation
(PPTR)
Monitoring progress
A detailed master record of ongoing progress should be continually maintained and updated by the OC Area Canvass, showing:
- Places visited
- Persons spoken to
- The documentation completed
- Relevant comments made
(MMPH)
Other options
Consideration can be given to using the approaches outlined below or a combination of them, to complement door to door enquiries:
- Media
- Mail drop
- Poster campaign
- High profile police presence, using a caravan.
(IIAI)
Debriefing
At the conclusion of the area canvass a thorough debrief must be carried out.
This may include confirming such aspects as:
- Relevant Information provided by persons seen
- Identity of any suspects
- Whether persons have a credible Alibi
- Whether any Issues arose that could improve future performance in canvass enquiries.
(FAA)
Final report
The report should include:
- Any significant Findings highlighted
- A summary of all Action taken
- Attention drawn to any Action which was outside of the original phase strategy
Part A form - records details such as:
- Street name
- House number
- Flat number
- Personal details of all residents
Part B form - records details such as:
- Personal details
- Home details
- Work details
- Answers to specific questions
(OVRSS)
Area canvass checklist - Before area canvass
- Obtain overview of the area showing houses etc
- Visit the canvass area to record every address
- Reconcile with the map
- Develop a Strategy addressing parameters etc
- Divide the area into manageable Sections
(BESMKA)
Area canvass checklist - During canvass
- Brief staff
- Ensure all forms are completed
- Shade in the map as each household is completed
- Maintain a record of results
- Keep morale up
- Attend briefings
(CECC)
Area canvass checklist - After canvass
- Conduct a debrief
- Ensure all questionnaires are reconciled with the master list
- Collect all notebooks
- Complete area canvass report and provide to O/C Investigation.
