Getting Ready For The Canvass Flashcards
What are the steps required when preparing for an area canvass?
Familiarise self with OC area canvass desk file.
Make a reconnaissance of the area and conduct an appreciation and set the parameters and objectives of the canvas.
What are the locations that might be used to set parameters of a canvass?
Scenes e.g.:
Sites where victims, offenders or witnesses have been present.
Sites where offences have taken place.
Sites where vehicles, property or exhibits were found.
Premises within line of sight of scenes.
Access/egress routes to the scene.
Areas the offender may have lay in wait.
Location victim was last seen alive.
Locations or premises frequented by the victim.
Locations of similar or previous incidents.
The criminal profiling unit or criminal or geographic profilers may assist setting parameters.
Why is a risk assessment done once parameters have been set?
To insure those carrying out quarries are aware of:
Violent offenders.
Persons wanted by Police.
Groups with the particular linguistic or cultural needs.
Local incidents or issues that may be raised with police.
What are time parameters?
Time parameters are used by area canvass staff to verify the presence of individuals at an address or area.
Time parameters should be set for:
The offence.
The scene.
Sightings.
Previous residents and visitors at the scene.
Consideration of peoples varying work times.
What people might be witnesses?
People who live or work in the area. They may have witnessed:
Events connected to an incident.
Sightings of the victim or offender.
Sightings of other potential witnesses.
Sightings of relevant property or vehicles.
What resources and canvas tools should be obtained?
Street maps, aerial photographs, geological information, local council records and other references.
Consider Internet apps, police Intel systems, public libraries.
What should be done after a full assessment of available resources?
The area to be canvassed should be divided into manageable sections.
The OC area canvassed must plan a progressive canvas, completing priority areas first.
All personnel must be fully briefed, summarising the situation and detailing each employees duties and areas of responsibility, particularly correspondence flow.
What are the rules around questionnaires?
They ensure information is gathered in a consistent manner.
Investigators should use a prescribed questionnaire to incorporate circumstances of the particular offence.
The OC investigation is responsible for authorising the questionnaire and for deciding the format of documentation.
When preparing questionnaires consideration should be given to consulting other parties to ensure the questions selected are relevant and the information is collected in a consistent manner.
A detailed master record of progress should be continually maintained and updated by the OC area canvass.
What are the key points for the team briefing?
Summarise the situation and detail duties and areas of responsibility for each member.
Emphasise the need for thoroughness.
Stress that the questionnaire is only a guide.
Advise that evidence of possible probative value must be obtained in a formal statement.
Consider visiting the canvas area to record every address including flats and vacant sections and then reconcile these premises with the map.
Insure all forms are completed and action 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 canvas.
What information must not be disclosed.
What should the OC Area canvas do to ensure morale remains high?
They can insure staff remain focused and alert and moral high by providing regular feedback on the way the canvas inquiries are contributing to the investigation together with updates on the progress being made with other phases of the inquiry.
Canvass team members should be visited regularly to monitor welfare, maintain control, morale, enthusiasm and efficiency.
Why should the OC Area canvas continually review completed canvas forms?
In order to::
Evaluate the quality of completed work and provide quality assurance.
Identify lines of inquiry to be highlighted to the 2IC.
Monitor ongoing progress.
Facilitate the detailed recording of progress.
What should the OC area canvas record on the master record?
Which addresses have been visited.
Which occupants interviewed.
The documentation completed.
Any relevant comments made.
What alternative approaches can be used separately or together with standard area canvas?
Media.
Poster campaign.
Maildrop.
High-profile police presence using a caravan.
