Surveillance Techniques

23/10/2014

The following comment was posted by RobK on the "Becoming a PI" blog post. As questions about techniques are a whole separate issue, I've chosen to start up a new post covering any questions you might have regarding any technical or procedural surveillance issues.

How many cars should a PI have "ideally"? I have only one car which looks quite conspicuous and in a very good condition. It was new when I had bought it in less than six years ago and think of either buying something different instead OR keeping and buying a second hand one which can be 'blended nicely' (I think it is important to choose the right one based what I have gathered from the US Websites) Any type(s) (Make & Model) you might suggest? Some say a big VAN would be ideal. I personally would be interested in both factual & surveillance but more so, factual side of it. What types would the most successful PIs usually use in Australia? I couldn't find any website suggesting to the Australian PIs about the ideal cars they should use. They all are from the USA!

18 Comments

Jarris

25/10/2014 06:29:00 am

The choice of a surveillance vehicle is usually a very personal one and successful surveillance can be accomplished in small sedans, mid-sized vehicles, 4WDs and vans. A larger vehicle means you will have more room inside for all the various equipment you might need - including such things as a cooling system for surveillance in summer, extra deep cycle batteries for extended power, etc.

Bigger vehicles are generally more comfortable to operate from and sitting higher than a lot of other traffic in a 4WD or van can be an asset. But, with most things surveillance related, what you gain in one area, you also lose out in another. A larger vehicle is a little more noticeable on the road, whereas a smaller car can "hide" behind other traffic and usually blend in better generally.

Whatever vehicle you chose, avoid unusual colours (silver, grey and dark colours will work best) and also avoid vehicles with very distinctive features. For example, the grill on a Jeep is very distinctive and will be noticed more readily than say an older model Ford Explorer. The more bland the vehicle's appearance, the better.

In my opinion, a smaller sedan is the most "invisible" but they are also uncomfortable to work out of for long periods.

Any full-time surveillance operative ideally should have access to a second car. You can be half way through a surveillance matter and find that you have had to push quite hard to maintain surveillance. The surveillance subject isn't necessarily suspicious of your vehicle at that point, but further surveillance in the same car could jeopardise that, so access to a different vehicle in that situation would be preferred.

Anyone starting out should really work with another surveillance operative (or, ideally, several different operatives who use different vehicles) for as long as possible so you can get a better idea of what type of vehicle/s will work best for you.

RobK link

25/10/2014 08:00:30 pm

Hi Jarris

What equipment should a 'debut' acquire for a start with and would you be in a position to recommend a store that is specialised for such exclusive equipment for PIs? And also what would be the average (Initial) outlay a new entrant should come up with? I already have a new laptop that I can carry with me anywhere but the PI equipment that used to be in vouge five years ago were not meant to be much appreciated today! I have put aside some funds ready to go when I am ready to go as distinct from the cost of a second car ( A decent second-hand)

Where would you usually refer your PIs to so that they can get the optimum quality equipment based on 'Value for money'?

I am in Victoria and surely there are bound to be some nationally established reputable companies / warehouses that cater for such demands?

Moreover, those highly sophisticated equipment need to be used properly I guess. Would there be any short courses designed by PI companies or some schools (1-2 week courses maximum) that teach the usage of those latest 'Hi-Tech' devices?

26/10/2014 03:04:42 am

You won't need a lot of sophisticated hi-tech gear when starting out. A $200-$250 Hi-Def camcorder from a reputable brand (Panasonic, Sony, etc.) will handle around 95%+ of your needs when taking video from a car.

For covert video gear to, for example, follow someone around a shopping centre, a Sony Action Cam is small, has great HD video and image stabilising (around $300).

For up close covert video (e.g. sitting at an adjacent table in a cafe), stay with a reputable brand like Lawmate. A PV900 (or similar for around $400) would be a very good choice.

More specialised equipment for long range video and working at night (two examples) is something you should only really consider after you have been in the profession for a while and have decided to make the commitment for that type of additional (larger) expense.

RobK

26/10/2014 08:40:52 am

Hi Jarris

1) Would you recommend a 'debut' in the PI industry to have his / her own office and should anyone who takes PI Business seriously arrange a website of his / her own albeit with no 'PTY LTD'?

2) And should a PI work from his /her own home just giving his mobile number when is able to walk on his / her on feet?(In my current job I am working from a serviced office for over four years as I have my Pty Ltd)

3) Must the PIs also adhere to the legal limit of tinting ALL the car windows OR can the back windows be bit darker than the accepted norms?

28/10/2014 06:51:34 am

To answer your questions in the same order:

1) No, an office isn't required. Whilst training, you really shouldn't be "inflicting" yourself on the public in any event. Get at least a couple of years of experience before considering doing that. The same goes for a website.

2) Whilst training, working from home is fine - in fact most sub-contractors work only from home.

3) You will need to check the relevant legislation in your particular state.

mike

17/11/2014 04:47:03 am

Hello,
Private investigators often use various pretexts to obtain either information, or create cover for an excuse to be in a certain area whether on foot or in a surveillance vehicle.

Lets say I'm set up in my vehicle on a static surveillance in a residential area, and I wanted my vehicle to 'blend in' other than the traditional way of simply hiding in the back in my tinted out vehicle. I'm curious as to what you think of using those company/logo magnets that stick to your vehicle for a 'reason' to be in the neighborhood... so in other words, maybe some sort of fake Realtor estate company logo,or a fake company name of some kind. Our office has a unlisted untraceable cell phone number they use for unique purposes like this, the phone number could also be used with the fake company logo in case a passer-by actually phoned the number. This tactic could subside any suspicious neighbors.

17/11/2014 05:02:47 am

Magnetic signs that are quickly/easily removed can work really well. We've used "Aged Home Care" and "Domestic Cleaning" service signs, which help explain why an "unattended" vehicle has been present in a street for extended periods. Overly curious neighbours can be a problem.

The only downside is; if they are visible to your surveillance subject, they will need to be removed ASAP after a follow.

18/11/2014 03:31:19 am

Oh that's great to know, thanks for the response! I've thrown this idea out to other investigators in the company I work for, but I think their complacency has gotten the better of them at times.
Yes, the signs would have to be removed asap, preferably I think before the follow, certainly after.

I'm curious, did you incorporate a phone number or web site on the magnetic signs when you used them on surveillance? I think it may project more credibility... an overly suspicious neighbor could easily do a google search to look up the 'company name' on the vehicle.

Jarris link

18/11/2014 04:15:33 am

Setting up a website just for a car sign might be a bit of overkill IMO. If the sign is generic enough (e.g. "Aged Care Services" / "Domestic Cleaning Services") you could add a legitimate phone number that goes through to a large service provider of that type.

If a curious neighbour is going to that sort of trouble to check you out though, you could probably expect police to roll up soon too.

18/11/2014 11:54:12 pm

Yes I agree, and think the 'Aged Care Services' & 'Domestic Cleaning Services' is a great idea. I may adopt a form of either or, thanks again.

1/12/2014 06:20:10 am

Here's a 'touchy subject' at least among some investigators I work with; it involves '3rd party awareness.'
As investigators we are, or at least should be conscious or aware of 3rd party persons aka, (neighbors) while set up on a static surveillance in residential areas for example. There is one investigator on staff where I work who swears by obtaining a private residents driveway on every surveillance that is very close in proximity to the targets house he is watching.
He goes house to house until he finds someone who will allow him to use their driveway to watch the targets house, he does not tell them who he's watching, but gives a pretext of some sort like, watching a person of interest who may or may not be involved in the narcotics trade.

He claims he's never been burned, and the target has never found out from '3rd party' neighbors that there is a investigator parked in John Do's driveway etc... Yet I have witnessed from another co-worker that 3rd party information surely can get to the actual target your watching, it happens! No other investigator I know will rarely ever obtain driveways from neighbors to watch a target, yet this investigator does it successfully 100% of the time he claims!

A) He's full of absolute crap!
B) He's the luckiest P.I. in the world.
C) He's awesome at what he does.

I would love to know your, or anyone's comment on what the thought is in using 3rd party driveways for static surveillance to watch a targets house?

1/12/2014 07:52:01 am

Hi Mike. I guess anything is possible - maybe he has a particularly good pretext and the capability of selling it just the right way. But, for that to work 100% of the time it would have to be done so as to make it extremely incumbent on the third party to keep his actions totally confidential. That's a tough ask as anything out of the ordinary tends to make for good local gossip and this is why I wouldn't do it unless the situation/location made it necessary.

The last time I talked my way onto a neighbour's driveway was because the surveillance subject (on an injury claim matter) was moving house to a property located at the end of a cul-de-sac. There was also a long driveway and being parked on the street was just not viable. There was only one property driveway that afforded a decent view so I really had no choice but to give it a try. Fortunately, it worked and I ended up with lots of video of heavy lifting, carrying, etc.

Another thing to keep in mind too when considering whether to do this type of thing or not is whether you are at the start or end of a job and whether it's likely the job will come back to you for more work down the track. A one-off / last day scenario would be the ideal time to give it a try, particularly if you haven't got anything worthwhile up until that point and you are looking to get activity around the house.

Using a driveway say, ten houses away where you can still see departures/arrivals is also less risky as it would be unusual for the gossip to spread that far. Sometimes this has to actually be done regardless if it's an area where no one parks on the street.

2/12/2014 12:01:01 am

Hi Jarris, yes I agree, great example you gave. I have done the very same thing as you suggested, except my target was building a new house, and I acquired permission from a nearby home to shoot video from their driveway.. I was fortunate as well that it worked out.

The investigator I referred to will show up on the first day of every surveillance case, whether 3, 4, or 5 consecutive days, and ask permission to set up static surveillance in a driveway usually 5 houses away from the target, if they say no, he moves on until he finds one that will allow him. He gets a driveway the first day of every case he's on, and always uses the same pretext; watching a person of interest involved in narcotics trafficking.

Just weeks ago I discussed this very thing over the phone with another investigator I work with while we were on surveillance. During this time ironically a lady approached him approx 10 houses away from the targets house he was watching, and asked him why he was sitting here (on the street parked)... he informed her he was an investigator, and monitoring a local situation.. etc... not an hour later, this same lady coincidentally new the investigators target, and was seen down the street talking with his target pointing at his car - he was undoubtedly burned - case & point.

It's moments like that, that make me extremely leery of obtaining driveways all the time, every case file... sometimes the time may be right or convenient I guess.

16/1/2015 08:44:37 pm

Hi Jarris

I see some cameras advertised in Google and supposedly they can take clear pictures from 750metrs away and prices didn't seem to be extortionate that is reasonable.

And they can be purchased online.

Would you have any comments on such equipment?

17/1/2015 12:42:03 am

You don't say whether you are referring to SLR-type cameras or video camcorders, but with camcorders offering more than 60x optical zoom (some at x72) and SLR cameras having around the same capabilities with removable lenses, that distance isn't too much of an issue. But, that said, if you are shooting through glass (particularly on an angle) or it's a hot day with heat haze, getting a clear image will be a challenge regardless of the camera.

1/4/2015 08:59:33 pm

Hi Again Jarris

Finally I have settled my differences with the Training School I attended to and obtained my Certificate III. Furthermore, I have given my fingerprints and 'All-Clear' report from the Police has arrived yesterday.

Now, I am in a position to apply for a licence which I shall do so shortly after Easter.

I was surfing the Internet and found highly sophisticated equipment that are used by the PIs. As you had previously advised, I need not spend too much at the early stage. However, I found some equipment rather complicated to be used(For me anyway!)

Would you please confirm again what I should purchase at this stage.

Would there be any Training Classes that would teach as to how to use those types of equipment? I would be interested to have a short course whilst waiting for my licence which would take up to six weeks to arrive as I was told.

I would very much appreciate your invaluable input.

Thanking you in advance.

Jarris Fuller

6/4/2015 07:13:30 am

I'd suggest not making any purchases at this point. Until you actually have your license and have gone out with an experienced Operative a few times, you really won't know whether this line of work will be suitable for you.

But, if you are dead-set of buying gear, my recommendations would be:

1. You need a decent HD camcorder in the $300-$500 price range. Something like the Panasonic HCV-550 or 570.

2. Unless you are going to use a dedicated phone with optical image stabilisation for the video and reasonably good low-light capabilities (something like the Nokia Lumia 920), which is very covert, I'd suggest a Sony Action Cam - great image and great stabilisation for following people around a shopping centre, for example.

3. You will also need a very covert camera you can place down and just point towards a surveillance subject - say at an adjacent table in a food court. I'd suggest a Lawmate PV900FHD for that. It has no image stabilization capabilities and is almost useless for walking around with because of that.

Wilsons Consultancy Investigators, UK link

22/5/2015 08:18:59 pm

Very good article.

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