NEIGHBORHOOD CANVASSING INVESTIGATIONS
Criminal & Civil Cases
The term neighborhood canvass is being utilized as a generic term. Neighborhood canvassing includes many different styles of locations. Most commonly used to canvass neighborhoods, they can also be used to canvass business area locations, shopping plazas, or general area searches, such as beaches, bars, restaurants, etc.
Neighborhood canvassing is commonly used in both criminal and civil defense cases.
In criminal cases, the neighborhood canvass may uncover many hidden puzzle pieces that were not originally identified. It can identify potential hidden witnesses, identify video surveillance that may not have been detected, or even identify what is commonly referred to as an "ear witness".
The ear witness may have overheard the sounds of a car, shots being fired, how many shots were fired, yelling or screaming persons, the slamming of a door, etc. In some cases, their recollection of time may be helpful, especially when creating a timeline of events.
A thorough neighborhood canvass in criminal defense cases can result in identifying witnesses that were originally reluctant in communicating with local law enforcement agencies. These witnesses can assist in the collaboration of facts.
In some criminal cases neighborhood canvasses can be in two or more different locations. In cases where the crime, the arrest, and the recovered property (i.e. vehicle or merchandise) are in different locations, separate area canvasses may be required.
Although primarily utilized in criminal cases, neighborhood canvasses can be used in civil cases too.
In civil cases, canvassing is a tool that is utilized to determine the activities of a specific individual through the information provided by neighboring parties, commonly referred to as "Activity Checks". When an individual has filed a Workers Compensation Claim or Auto Accident Claim, the insurance company may elect to attempt and validate the level of activity of an individual through the performance of a neighborhood canvass.