Door-to-door interview

When canvassing a neighbourhood to gather information, you may be asked to go door-to-door interviewing residents. This guideline describes the following:

		Your duties
		Questioning

Your duties (Door-to-door interview)

1. Go door-to-door in the neighbourhood of a crime scene.
2. Ask the neighbours if they saw anything related to the offence.
3. At each door determine who was at home at the time of the offence.
4. Record the names, telephone numbers, and availability of all the neighbours.
5. Use the same form or format for all your interview reports.

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Questioning (Door-to-door interview)

1. Ask open-ended questions.
• What have you seen or heard that is out of the ordinary?
2. Tell the neighbours as little information as possible.
3. If a neighbour reports something relevant:
• take a detailed statement if time permits
• if time is crucial:
  • note the information
  • advise the witness that another officer will return
  • contact the investigators
4. Ask (don't tell) the neighbour to avoid discussing their evidence with the media or others.
5. Explain that facts only the witness, perpetrator, and police know can help separate fact from rumour.

See also Interview report

See also Open ended questioning

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