SURVEILLANCE
THOMAS BARNES L.A. PRIVATE EYE
This is meant to be a guide for conducting surveillance and a glimpse into our standards at L.A. Private Eye.
First I would like to take a moment to discuss the purpose of a surveillance:
- Knowledge communicated or received concerning a particular fact or circumstance; news: information concerning a crime.
- Knowledge gained through study, communication, research, instruction, etc.; factual data: His wealth of general information is amazing.
- The act or fact of informing.
It is apparent that the INFORMATION obtained is only as good as the person obtaining it and recording it correctly and concisely. The mark of a good Investigator comes in part from his prior training, education and experience, however in saying this we must realize that “we strive for perfection in an imperfect world” and the best investigators are born with the quest instinct.
Pitfalls:
The slippery slide to being a non credible Investigator comes from several bad habits.
Assumptions:
1. Something taken for granted; a supposition: a correct assumption.
2. The act of taking for granted or supposing.
3. The act of taking to or upon oneself.
4. The act of taking possession of something: the assumption of power.
5. Arrogance; presumption.
Understand what your assignment is and that doing an investigation takes team work. Understand what is required of the assignment, you know what Information the client needs. If it is a child custody case then your focus should be on issues revolving around child welfare issues. This does not give you a license to abandon common sense and over look other potential issues that may present themselves and develop other areas for investigation. A “Brain dead” investigator will not last long in this business.
Location, Location, Location....where are you, description of a site. You should know where you are, at all times, period.
Vehicle descriptions. Make year, color, LICENSE NUMBER and any other distinguishing marks.
Scene assessment. What kind of an area are you in???? If you are attempting a one man surveillance but need two men to do it adequately make it known.
Always call the Law Enforcement in the jurisdiction you are in, get the name and time you advised them you are on a civil surveillance. They have no right to know the location nor should you give them the location just the general area. More investigations are “burned” by neighbors than by the subjects they are following. If a police car shows up ask them to escort you out of the area as soon as possible. Do your explaining away from the scene.
DO NOT pull an invasion of privacy! Understand the 4th amendment of the Constitution.
When you talk to someone ALWAYS presume you are being recorded.
| 
