The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are currently investigating a residential disturbance that took place on Marchmont Road in Duncan on November 10. Forensic specialists have been deployed to the scene as officers search for surveillance footage from the early morning hours.
Why the RCMP Forensic Identification Section was called to Marchmont Road
The deployment of the RCMP Forensic Identification Section indicates that the incident on Marchmont Road was significant enough to require specialized evidence collection. According to the report, officers arrived at the Duncan propery at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, where they discovered signs of a disturbance. The use of forensic experts suggests that investigators are looking for physical evidence that goes beyond a standard police report, though the specific nature of the crime or incident remains undisclosed.
Investigators are currently reviewing physical evidence to determine the full scope of what happened during the early hours of the morning. While the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP have confirmed the investigation is ongoing, they have not yet released information regarding whether any arrests have been made or if specific suspects are being sought in connection with the Marchmont Road scene.
The 1 a.m. to 4 a.m . surveillance window
Authorities are placing a high priority on crowdsourced evidence to reconstruct the timeline of the night. The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are specifically requesting dashcam or home surveillance footage from anyone who was in the vicinity of Marchmont Road between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. on November 10. This three-hour window is critical for investigators attempting to identify vehicles or individuals who may have entered or exited the area around the time of the 2:30 a.m. police arrival.
Members of the public with relevant information are urged to contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522. As reported, callers must reference file number 2026-18913 to ensure their tips are routed to the correct investigative team. The reliance on private citizens for visual evidence highlights the gaps in public CCTV coverage in residential areas of Duncan.
Cpl. Alex Bérubé's warning on case integrity
Cpl. Alex Bérubé, speaking through CTV News, has emphasized that the investigation into the Marchmont Road disturbance is "highly sensitive." Bérubé warned that releasing further details at this stage could compromise the integrity of the case, suggesting that the RCMP may be protecting a specific lead or avoiding the tipping off of a suspect. This level of operational secrecy is typical in cases where forensic evidence is the primary driver of the investigation.
Despite the sensitivity of the probe, Cpl. Alex Bérubé clarified that there is no immediate or ongoing threat to the general public . The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP stated that if the community were at risk, they would advise the public accordingly,aiming to balance the need for operational secrecy with the need to reassure residents living near Marchmont Road.
The growing reliance on dashcams in Duncan investigations
The RCMP's urgent plea for dashcam footage reflects a broader trend in Canadian policing where private technology is filling the void of municipal surveillance. In smaller communities like Duncan, the absence of comprehensive city-wide camera networks means that the "digital witness" is often a passing motorist or a neighbor's doorbell camera.. This shift transforms local residents into an unofficial extension of the forensic team.
This reliance on private data also creates a fragmented investigative process, where the timeline of an event is only as complete as the number of people willing to upload their footage. In the case of the November 10 disturbance, the RCMP's ability to solve the case may depend entirely on whether a random driver happened to be filming the road during that specific three-hour window.
The missing details of file 2026-18913
Despite the forensic presence, several critical questions remain unanswered in the reporting. Most notably, the RCMP have not defined what constitutes a "disturbance" in this context—whether it involves property damage, violence, or another criminal act. Furthermore, the report only provides the perspective of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP; there has been no statement from the homeowners or witnesses at the Marchmont Road property.
It remains unclear why the incident is categorized as "highly sensitive" compared to other residential calls. Without a description of the evidence being sought or the nature of the disturbance, the community is left to speculate on the severity of the event that triggered a midnight forensic deployment.
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