Part 9 - Area Canvas Flashcards
(14 cards)
Objectives
The main objectives of an area canvass may include:
- Identifying offender
- identify and locate evidence, such as vehicles, discarded clothing, weapons, and other articles
- Identify witnesses
- Gathering information
Other benefits:
-sightings of the victim or offender before or after the event
- Sightings of relevant property or vehicles
- Sighting of potential witnesses
- Creating the opportunity for an early arrest through early identification of the offender
- Promoting awareness of significant occurrences
- Eliminating unidentified vehicles or persons reported by other witnesses
- Obtaining an accurate record of the local community
Reconnaissance
The OC investigation, OC area canvas and OC suspects should attend the external/general scene as soon as practical, to make a reconnaissance of the area and conduct and appreciation and sit the parameters and objects of the canvas. This will also provide a clear perspective of the area, when it is referred to subsequently in statementsand or briefings.
Timing of a canvas phase
- initial canvas will normally be conducted when Police first attend the scene
- A formal area canvas will normally follow and revisit are frequently required to catch persons who were not present
In some cases, the area canvas 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 day, e.g. a homicide of a person in a pack in the early hours of the morning.
Setting the phase objectives
OC investigation in conjunction with the appointed OC area canvas.
They should deploy a clear strategy with realistic objectives .
Relevant locations which may influence the setting of location parameters include:
- Scenes - e.g. sites where victims, offenders or witnesses have been present
- Sites where offences have taken place
- Sites were vehicle vehicles, property or exhibits have been found
- Premises within the line of sight of scenes
- access and routes to and from scenes
- Location where a victim was last seen alive
Risk assessment - Analysis of the following:
- violent offenders
- Persons wanted by police for other crimes or warrant
- Persons with particular linguistic or cultural needs
- Local incidents or issues which residence may raise with Police
Identifying witnesses
People who have witnessed:
- Events connected to an incident and investigation
- Sightings of the victim or offender before or after the event
- Settings of other potential witnesses
- Sightings of relevant property or vehicles
Key points for canvass team briefing:
1) summarise the situation in detail the duties and areas of responsibility of each canvas team
2) emphasise the need for thoroughness and that every person in every household and visitors must be seen personally
3) stress that the questionnaire is only a guide to ensure the questions I asked, that should be regarded as flexible
4) advise the evidence of possible probated value must be obtained in a formal written statement rather than notebook for
5) consider visiting the canvas area to record every address including flat and vacant sections and then reconcile these premises with the map
6) ensure all forms are completed and actioned as outlined
7) reconcile completed locations with the master copy to duplication
8) advise staff on: action to take if they believe they have identified the suspect, they locate items of value, if individuals refuse to assist, how to complete the correspondence flow and what information can be disclose during the canvas and what must not be
Team motivation
The OC area canvas should ensure staff morale remains high and this can be achieved by providing regular feedback on the way canvas enquiries are contributing to the progress of the investigation, together with updates on the progress being made with other phases of the inquiry.
Monitoring progress
OC area canvas should continually review completed canvas forms as they are submitted in order to;
- Evaluate the quality of complete work and provide QA
- Identify lines of enquiry to be highlighted to the 2IC
- Monitor ongoing progress of the canvas
- Facilitate the detailed recording of progress
Points to consider for the canvas
- Use of experts
- Use of aid memoir and script
- leaflets
- Other options such as posters or media or mail drop
Area canvass 12 step checklist
1) obtain suitable Street and other maps of the area showing houses and location of sections
2) visit and inspect the campus area to record every address, including flats and vacant sections
3) reconcile the list of premises on the map
4) in conjunction with OC investigation develop an area Canva strategy. This includes objectives, time /location parameters, risk, suspects POI and witnesses, resources, use of questionnaires
5) divide the area into manageable sections and plan a canvass
6) fully brief all staff - situations, expectations, what to do with suspect etc
7) ensure all forms are completed in actioned
8) shade in the map as each household is completed
9) maintain a detailed ongoing record of area Canvas results
10) visit team members regularly during the canvas to monitor welfare and maintain control
11) attend investigation squad conferences and supply situation report
12) on the completion of the canvas, the OC campus mass: debrief, ensure all questionnaires are reconciled with master list, ensure all staff notebooks are accounted for, submit a report for the OC
