It's been five days since Windsor police began a secondary canvas of the neighbourhood where a gruesome murder took place last month. 

Police have now taken a rare approach to the investigation into the death of Cassandra Kaake - asking area residents to agree to provide DNA samples.

Sgt. Matt D’Asti says over 500 people are now on a list to provide samples.

“It's a two part process where (officers) are engaging the community, talking to them at the door and then providing them with a document which asks if they would be willing to come forward and provide a voluntary sample of their DNA," says D’Asti.

Many neighbours are still in shock and on edge since the 31-year-old pregnant woman was found dead in her home on Benjamin Avenue on Dec. 11.

Since then, police have collected many forensic samples, which have been sent to Toronto for testing. 

"If they have a piece of our evidence that they are able to generate that DNA sample, then we'll make the move to make these submission," says D’Asti.

Several nearby residents who have been approached by police say they are happy to help.

“We said that we would cooperate in any way possible, whatever we can do to help," says Penny Wakeling.

Police say if a DNA sample is ruled-out , it will then be destroyed and it cannot be searched or used in any other way.