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What Does Surveillance Mean?

Private investigators frequently face certain challenges when trying to collect evidence. A common challenge with certain investigations is that the evidence required needs to be up-to-date. These are usually investigations where no other evidence has been left behind.

In such cases, surveillance is the investigative technique that is employed by private investigators. For many people, surveillance is the mark of private investigators.

The idea of a detective armed with a camera following a person of interest has been used in many different contexts. However, there is a lot more involved when a private investigator goes on surveillance.


What Is Surveillance?

Surveillance is a term that is used to describe activities that a private investigator engages in to monitor the activities, behaviour and other forms of information that is subject to change. In other occupations, surveillance can be carried out for various reasons including to influence, protect, direct or manage people. However, for private investigators, surveillance is simply carried out to provide the investigators with the most recent information pertaining to the subject of the investigation.


Why You Would Need Surveillance

Although surveillance may seem like an over the top approach to gathering information, it's difficult to argue with its effectiveness. Unlike other investigative techniques, the information gathered by private investigators is recent and this makes it relevant.

Some of the reasons why you may need surveillance to be carried out include:

  • Monitoring an unfaithful spouse: Infidelity can be difficult to prove since it often leaves behind very little material evidence. Surveillance can provide photographic or video evidence that can't be disputed.
  • Workplace Monitoring: You may need to monitor your place for work if you suspect employees have been engaging in illegal activities or stealing from the organization.
  • Employee Monitoring: If an employee has been on sick leave and you suspect they are not being truthful about their illness, having someone to follow them or monitor their home may be your only option
  • Missing Persons: If a debtor or someone else has gone missing, you may need to monitor a location to see if they're going to turn up.
  • Criminal defence: The attorney of someone accused of a crime may need a private investigator to surveil a place or some other potential suspect.

  • Types Of Surveillance

    There are several methods that a private investigator can conduct surveillance. Depending on the subject of the surveillance and the nature of the investigation, some types of surveillance can be better suited.

    Some of the surveillance methods used by private detectives are:

    • Overt Surveillance: This is a type of surveillance where the cameras are placed in locations that are noticeable but not obtrusive. This type of surveillance is mainly used to serve as a deterrent but can also provide important information after the fact.
    • Covert Surveillance: This is the type of surveillance you're most likely to ask a private investigator to conduct on your behalf. In this type of surveillance, the cameras are either hidden or hard to identify.
  • Mobile Surveillance: This type of surveillance involves private investigators following the subject of the investigation on foot or by car to make a record of their movements and who they interact with.
  • Static Surveillance: This is where the private investigator sets up at a single location to make a record of activities that take place there and who or what comes to visit.
  • Counter Surveillance: This is a service offered by private investigators that involves employing various measures to prevent surveillance.

  • Who Can Provide Surveillance Services?

    For cases that don't require police investigations, a private investigator is your best bet when you require surveillance services. Carrying out proper surveillance requires a lot of training and experience which professional private investigator will have undergone.

    You'll also need someone who will not fail to document crucial evidence when the opportunity comes up. Only a private investigator with plenty of experience in such work can be relied on to be where they are needed to be to get the evidence you need.