Part 9

Question 1

What matters should the final Area Canvas report contain?

Answer 1

At the conclusion of the area canvass the phase 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 that has been undertaken which was outside of the original phase strategy.

Question 2

What matters should the OC Canvass record in a detailed master record?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

How can OC Area Canvass keep morale up of staff?

Answer 3

It is essential staff remain focused and alert to the possibilities that the person they are speaking to could be a vital witness, or even the offender. The OC Area Canvass should ensure staff morale remains high and 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.

Question 4

Why important in some cases conduct area canvass at same time as offence?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

The main objectives of an area canvass?

Answer 5

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
Other benefits include:
 Sightings of the victim or offender before or after the event.
 Sightings of relevant property or vehicles
 Sightings of potential witnesses

Question 6

How can specialist Police units such as the Criminal Profiling Unit or Criminal or geographic profilers assist the OC area canvass during the area canvass planning stage?

Answer 6

Identifying location parameters: Specialist Police units such as the Criminal Profiling 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.

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
 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.

Question 7

What are the purposes of a methodically conducted area canvass?

Answer 7

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.