Surveillance

Each case has different needs to attend, and the average surveillance detective will use a wide array of tools and techniques to achieve results, but surveillance practices can be distinguished as follows:

Physical Surveillance: This is the most widely known type of surveillance tactic that detectives use. It entails viewing and, in most cases, following the surveillance target. It is mostly conducted as a covert– the surveillance detective might be observing from a certain distance or using a disguise to be able to approach the subject without being detected or looking suspicious. This practice is common in spousal investigations. Physical Surveillance does not limit to a single investigator in the scene– there might be teams involved, with both stationary and mobile assets.

Technical Surveillance: Also known as A/V surveillance; it is commonly used in every type of surveillance investigation, with the purpose of gathering evidence that can be played back and reviewed later. This involves the infiltration of recording devices such as movement sensors, cameras, microphones, voice, and video recorders.

Digital Surveillance: Similar to the objectives of the aforementioned types, digital surveillance consists of following a subject’s behavior online. This may be done in a non-intrusive way (by inadvertently checking or following the target in social media, doing online searches) or by taking a more intrusive approach (checking the web history of the subject, logging in the subject’s social media if possible to search for evidence, checking their digital trash, etc).

It is important to bear in mind that Private Investigators are professional data gatherers, and as such the communication with their clients is key: it’s best as a client to be as descriptive as possible in the first interviews and try not to leave everything to the investigator’s guesswork, since knowing when and what to look for can make or break the results of an investigation.