10 Successful Surveillance Tips for Private Investigators

by Scott B. Fulmer

Surveillance is an art form, not a science.  Unfortunately many of its best lessons are learned through trial and error.  Whether you conduct insurance, defense or domestic investigations, surveillance is a large part of your day as a private investigator.  The following 10 suggestions will help you conduct a more cost-effective and successful surveillance.

1. A Detailed Intake Sheet  Start by gathering as much information as you can from the client up front.  This sounds pretty obvious but you'd be surprised.  Many clients simply want to give you the subject's name, age and address and leave it at that.  A detailed intake sheet draws together information above and beyond the industry standard: information such as doctor appointments, therapy appointments, marital status, number of children, hobbies, etc.  This allows for a clearer picture of the subjects routine and helps you avoid re-inventing the wheel out in the field.  This information, together with a search of public and proprietary databases, will save you time and allow you to provide your client a more cost-effective investigation.  More...

The Importance of an Investigator’s Job

As our entire nation watched another terrorist attack take place on American soil, we saw a couple of things happen.  First of all, people forgot about themselves and the danger they were facing and concentrated on helping those around them.  It was a beautiful picture of what has made America great for all these years.  Ordinary everyday people worked right alongside medical professionals, and no one pointed out the difference.

As people were moved from the scene to the hospitals and the street began to clear, investigators of different kinds began to move in and do their job.  It was up to them to secure the area to keep the evidence from becoming contaminated.  This is the first step in making sure that the individual or individuals who perpetrated this terrible crime can be brought to justice.

It is the job of the investigators working the crime scene to find evidence and to conserve it.  They look for anything they can find to prove the case in court.  They must be extremely careful not to leave their fingerprints on evidence that is found.

Over and over investigators have asked that people come forward with any information that might help them find the perpetrator.  Pictures that were taken, suspicious actions or words or mere suspicions are being looked at with the greatest of care.  It is not always a large, important clue that solves the case. This is the important job of an investigator.

Counter Surveillance: A Cleaning Run

At one time or another, every private investigator, private detective or individual will need to do a cleaning run.  This simply assures him that he is no longer being watched or followed, because no one knows where he is at.  This may be used to protect a client or to protect himself under certain circumstances.

The ebook, Cleaning Runs Advanced Security Tradecrafts by Christian McLeod, explains in detail how a professional can lose surveillance.  You will be taught the important elements that are included in a run, and then you will be taken along on a real Cleaning Run with a professional intelligence officer that is being tracked by a surveillance team so you can see how it is done.  By the time you are finished, you will know how to lose a follower.

You will learn how to examine the follower and how to detect surveillance.  Details concerning the run such as the details planning the route, schedules, methods of transportation and other important information will all be clearly explained.  If you need this type of training, this ebook is exactly what you need.

Countering Hostile Surveillance: Detect, Evade, and Neutralize Physical Surveillance Threats

Surveillance Tips for Private Investigator on Stationary Surveillance

Stationary surveillance is an important part of many jobs in private investigation. These surveillance tips can help you "do it right" the first time around. Car Dashboard Mount Camera for Private Investigators