It is very common within the private investigation industry to refer to surveillance as part art and part science. Some even state the longer one does it he/she can become an alchemist and transforms it from the science into the art at a highly developed level, well I modified that statement a little to get my point across. Surveillance art and its esoteric components will be addressed and surveillance science and its exoteric components will be addressed in the next article.
Surveillance can be defined as the continuous watching (overtly or covertly) of persons, vehicles, places or objects to obtain information concerning the activities and identities of individuals. To achieve the successful objective of obtaining information the operative whether law enforcement personnel or private investigator utilises intuition, street savvy, equipment and pre surveillance information. Being a private investigator for Paramount Investigations Private Investigators, http://www.paramountia.co.uk/surveillance that specialises in surveillance gives a perspective on how surveillance applies in both contexts. However, its applicability to the private investigation industry will be explored and emphasized.
The most important equipment a private investigator has available during the course of conducting surveillance is his mind and its esoteric components. The pre-surveillance information may indicated that the an insurance benefits claimant maybe working and leaves for work at 7:30 a.m., but if your intuition tells you that the day of surveillance he will be leaving at 6:30 a.m. follow it and be on site one hour earlier. There is no tangible reconnaissance information for the earlier start, but a successful surveillance assignment is dependent on more than tangible components. You can have the best camcorder, digital camera, surveillance vehicle modified to be non descript, excellent pre surveillance data on subject, but the intuition of the investigator about where to set up for surveillance, when to back off when following a subject, is subject going to leave earlier, etc., becomes an innate attribute that develops with time if the investigator listens to that intuitive voice within that is your sixth sense getting information from sources beyond the normal. I was working a corporate case locally in Central London trying to acquire a positive ID on a subject for a client who had been scammed a significant amount of money through an elaborate fraud scheme. I stakeout the subject’s house for six hours with no activity, I made a call to his residence, I received his answering machine and there were no vehicles parked in the driveway or nearby.
I had no idea of his schedule, but had a deep feeling he was home. This case was a one man surveillance restricted by the budgetary restraints of the client so I had to think on my feet. I approached the subject’s residence, parked my vehicle, positioned my camcorder through the passenger side door of vehicle, turned it on and proceeded to the front door of his residence. I knocked and moved to the left to allow the camcorder to capture the potential meeting. He opened the door and asked how he could help me. I stated that my car had broken down and I was waiting to be picked up and considered it prudent to notify the occupants of his residence because my vehicle would have to remain in front of his house until the following day when I would return to retrieve it. He said okay, while everything was captured on video. I returned to my car and uploaded the video to my client who positively identified the subject and will be pursuing legal actions against him. How did I know he was at home? I had a hunch, a gut feeling, intuition. Herein manifests the art of surveillance, the intangible component that cannot be learned from a book or course, but must be developed by the surveillance investigator out in the field doing his craft. The art is being able to think on your feet, trusting your intuition, adapting to the case requirements, using unorthodox methods if necessary, but staying within the parameters of the law. The more one develops in proficiency, it is poetry in motion, living in the moment transcending the actual surveillance and tapping into faculties that can be applied to all aspects of life.
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Saturday, 3 May 2008
When to hire a Private Investigator
Contrary to popular perception, private investigators are not only hired when someone gets murdered or a crime is committed. There are actually a lot of things that a private investigator can do for a client. Some hire them to look for lost relatives, even blood parents. Others are commissioned to investigate foul play in companies especially those that deal with corporate espionage and business security.
Another popular assignments for private investigators are illicit affairs and spousal infidelities. There are also some that hire these professionals to conduct background checks on people, often for employment or partnership or anything that deals with a lot of money.
But how do people hire private investigators and what should they look for when hiring one?
Finding them is actually relatively easy. All you have to do is leaf through the directories and you will find listings of private investigator agencies that deal with all kinds of problems. You can also surf the net and try to look for agencies that are near your area.
If you have friends or acquaintances who have already availed of that kind of service, try to get a referral. This is actually preferable as they have already tried the agency’s brand of service.
Although it is easy to find one, it is relatively hard to choose one that will suit your needs. There are a lot of things that you should actually consider when hiring a private investigator.
When you decide to hire, always ask for a contract of service that stipulates everything that you expect to be accomplished. If this is not available and the agency do not release these kinds of forms (which they should!) at the very least ask for a receipt and have the agreement just written there.
Another thing that you should consider is the experience of the private investigator in the area that you are asking him or her to explore. For instance, if you need a background check for somebody, you should hire someone who has already done background checks in the past.
Although most would basically know what to do, as they are all private investigators, experience in the particular field is still a big one.
Another popular assignments for private investigators are illicit affairs and spousal infidelities. There are also some that hire these professionals to conduct background checks on people, often for employment or partnership or anything that deals with a lot of money.
But how do people hire private investigators and what should they look for when hiring one?
Finding them is actually relatively easy. All you have to do is leaf through the directories and you will find listings of private investigator agencies that deal with all kinds of problems. You can also surf the net and try to look for agencies that are near your area.
If you have friends or acquaintances who have already availed of that kind of service, try to get a referral. This is actually preferable as they have already tried the agency’s brand of service.
Although it is easy to find one, it is relatively hard to choose one that will suit your needs. There are a lot of things that you should actually consider when hiring a private investigator.
When you decide to hire, always ask for a contract of service that stipulates everything that you expect to be accomplished. If this is not available and the agency do not release these kinds of forms (which they should!) at the very least ask for a receipt and have the agreement just written there.
Another thing that you should consider is the experience of the private investigator in the area that you are asking him or her to explore. For instance, if you need a background check for somebody, you should hire someone who has already done background checks in the past.
Although most would basically know what to do, as they are all private investigators, experience in the particular field is still a big one.
Friday, 11 April 2008
Spy Cameras
Spy cameras have become rather popular because of the increased need for safety and security. While there are some cameras that are not appreciated, such as interstate spy cameras looking for speeding, a majority are for the protection of you and your loved ones. Here are 5 different spy cameras to keep in mind.
1. Surveillance cameras Perhaps the most well known and widely used spy camera is surveillance cameras. Surveillance cameras are often used with companies to make sure there is no theft taking place on the property, especially after hours. Parking lots and banks generally have them as well. Some homes opt to install surveillance cameras for increased security, and they can be rather extensive when it comes to keeping you safe.
2. Wired spy cameras Some security cameras can become quite expensive because of the technology that is involved. If money is a concern of yours, wired spy cameras are recommended. The reason these cameras are cheaper is because it can be difficult to hide the wires aside from placing them inside the wall. Also, they are difficult to assemble because of all of the wiring and mounting kits needed. But once you have the camera in place, they are quite efficient.
3. Wireless spy cameras These tend to be the most popular kinds of cameras because of the flexibility and mobility with no wires to worry about. Most of the time wireless spy cameras come with everything you need already. Because of this, there are no extra purchases to make and you can begin spying right away.
4. Micro spy cameras Micro spy cameras are about the size of a 5 pence coin. What is amazing is that these marvelous cameras can shoot just as good of footage as any other camera on the market, if not better. They have been known to shoot as good as many regular sized camcorders. Because of its small size, it can be placed anywhere without being detected.
5. Body-worn cameras If you are looking to record something in person as opposed to using the camera for security purposes, body-worn cameras can come in handy as a portable camera. They are so small that you can place them in your front pocket or attach it to your shirt button and the entire conversation with people will be recorded. Technology has grown tremendously and more and more gadgets continue to be developed. The five spy cameras listed above are proof of what technology has brought to us and what is still to come in the future. Regardless of what use you have for them, each of the spy cameras in this article can come in handy.
Thursday, 20 March 2008
GPS Technology and Child Safety
What parent has had that moment of fright when the child who was just at your side is gone? Usually the child has seen something of interest and just gone to investigate, or has gotten separated in a crowd, such as being at a funfair, and although it may only two seconds to locate your child, it feels like two years and when you do find them your heart is racing, your hands are shaking and you don’t know whether to hug them or scold them.
The possibility of someone taking our child is a real fear every parent carries with them. Just pick up a newspaper or watch the evening news and reports of children being kidnapped or abducted are constant and the heartbreak of the parents is just so overwhelming. Now what if there was a technology that could find that child instantly?
GPS technology is now being used to help keep track of children and allow parents to know where their child is at all times. These devices are usually small enough to fit anywhere-backpack, trousers or coat pocket, etc. and lightweight enough not to be burdensome. Some of these have pre-programmable buttons so the child can keep in touch with their parents or call for help if necessary.
These devices range from tracking devices that will beep until the child is found, to mobile phones with GPS technology installed, to watches that if forcibly removed will automatically activate. There are even backpacks available with GPS technology installed. Some of these will activate if the child is too far away from the parent. And there is even one that is implanted in a shoe.
Of course the main problems with these are the child is going to lose them, or if the child is abducted they can easily be disposed of. I can envision the day when it will be possible to have a GPS transmitter implanted in a child via an injection or some other simple manner.
There are other concerns also. Are only children with parents who can afford this technology are going to benefit. Is this going to increase the number of lower class children, whose parents can’t afford this new technology, being abducted? Will someone, such as a child molester or kidnapper, find a way to use a child’s transmitter signal to locate the child? Also how are our children to adjust to the fact that they are constantly being monitored?
How secure are our children going to feel knowing that the world is so dangerous that their parents need to know where they are at all times? Are we stripping a part of their childhood away from them? Who doesn’t remember, as a kid, going somewhere you knew your parents didn’t want you to go, but as children we are adventurers, and if we got into trouble or got ‘caught’ being where we shouldn’t be, we more than likely not only got punished but also learned a lesson. We grow and mature by making mistakes and learning from them, are we going to take part of this education away from our children? At what age do we stop? Do we continue to monitor them through their teen-age years? A time that can be the hardest time of any child’s or parents life, it’s a time where a teenager needs to mature and a parent needs to learn to ‘let go’ and allow the child to learn on their own-mistakes and all.
Although this technology has some very great qualities in the protection of our children, the possibility of abusing this technology must also be addressed. We all want our children to be safe, yet at the same time they must be allowed to grow to become functional adults.
The possibility of someone taking our child is a real fear every parent carries with them. Just pick up a newspaper or watch the evening news and reports of children being kidnapped or abducted are constant and the heartbreak of the parents is just so overwhelming. Now what if there was a technology that could find that child instantly?
GPS technology is now being used to help keep track of children and allow parents to know where their child is at all times. These devices are usually small enough to fit anywhere-backpack, trousers or coat pocket, etc. and lightweight enough not to be burdensome. Some of these have pre-programmable buttons so the child can keep in touch with their parents or call for help if necessary.
These devices range from tracking devices that will beep until the child is found, to mobile phones with GPS technology installed, to watches that if forcibly removed will automatically activate. There are even backpacks available with GPS technology installed. Some of these will activate if the child is too far away from the parent. And there is even one that is implanted in a shoe.
Of course the main problems with these are the child is going to lose them, or if the child is abducted they can easily be disposed of. I can envision the day when it will be possible to have a GPS transmitter implanted in a child via an injection or some other simple manner.
There are other concerns also. Are only children with parents who can afford this technology are going to benefit. Is this going to increase the number of lower class children, whose parents can’t afford this new technology, being abducted? Will someone, such as a child molester or kidnapper, find a way to use a child’s transmitter signal to locate the child? Also how are our children to adjust to the fact that they are constantly being monitored?
How secure are our children going to feel knowing that the world is so dangerous that their parents need to know where they are at all times? Are we stripping a part of their childhood away from them? Who doesn’t remember, as a kid, going somewhere you knew your parents didn’t want you to go, but as children we are adventurers, and if we got into trouble or got ‘caught’ being where we shouldn’t be, we more than likely not only got punished but also learned a lesson. We grow and mature by making mistakes and learning from them, are we going to take part of this education away from our children? At what age do we stop? Do we continue to monitor them through their teen-age years? A time that can be the hardest time of any child’s or parents life, it’s a time where a teenager needs to mature and a parent needs to learn to ‘let go’ and allow the child to learn on their own-mistakes and all.
Although this technology has some very great qualities in the protection of our children, the possibility of abusing this technology must also be addressed. We all want our children to be safe, yet at the same time they must be allowed to grow to become functional adults.
Video Surveillance Camera Technology
Video surveillance cameras are more prevalent today than anytime in the past. Their use has surged along with the boom in technology as this new technology becomes cheaper and more sophisticated. There are numerous types and styles of surveillance cameras. For example, there dome cameras, hidden cameras, smoke detecting cameras, and "smart" cameras that are equipped with motion detectors, just to name a few.
Video surveillance cameras are classified according to the technology that is used in their design. CCTV [closed circuit TV] cameras are those that have a completely closed circuit and all the components are connected together. On the other hand, advanced digital cameras are those that connected by a circuit but can be located at any site around the world. Digital video recorders [DVRs] do not need VCR's and other recording equipment in order to capture or record on-site activities. The software is designed to automatically record unusual activity even in odd hours of the day.
You can find video surveillance cameras used in many different places. They are used in school buses and schools to monitor activities of students. You will also find them being used in retail establishments, public gathering places, traffic reporting, and many more places. Small hidden cameras know as nanny cams have been used successfully by parents concerned about their children's care from sitters and caretakers. Hidden cameras are also available for sale in “brick and mortar “stores and on the Internet. You find these cameras hidden in clocks, smoke detectors, and soft toys such as a teddy bear, just to name a few.
This style of camera is differentiated according to its effectiveness. A 360-degree revolving dome camera can capture images anywhere on the site. Infrared surveillance type cameras are found used by government agencies such as the MI5 for tailing suspects at night. They too are found mounted in police helicopters to aid them in searching suspects hidden in brush by either day or night.
Detective agencies and security agencies use these cameras to monitor people at their client's request. It is currently lawful in most areas to install a camera in a common public area and record public activities; however, there is a lot of debate over this subject. Even government agencies need a warrant in order to carry out video surveillance in private places or homes. Small hand held cameras, also available in the marketplace, help monitor the elderly and in nurseries and preschools where children are kept under watch.
Video surveillance cameras are available in the price range of £50 to £500 for the most part. However, it depends on the complexity of the technology used in them. Well-made fake cameras are also available for as less as £20, which act as deterrents for robbers and thieves but are not recommended in some applications.
Video surveillance cameras are classified according to the technology that is used in their design. CCTV [closed circuit TV] cameras are those that have a completely closed circuit and all the components are connected together. On the other hand, advanced digital cameras are those that connected by a circuit but can be located at any site around the world. Digital video recorders [DVRs] do not need VCR's and other recording equipment in order to capture or record on-site activities. The software is designed to automatically record unusual activity even in odd hours of the day.
You can find video surveillance cameras used in many different places. They are used in school buses and schools to monitor activities of students. You will also find them being used in retail establishments, public gathering places, traffic reporting, and many more places. Small hidden cameras know as nanny cams have been used successfully by parents concerned about their children's care from sitters and caretakers. Hidden cameras are also available for sale in “brick and mortar “stores and on the Internet. You find these cameras hidden in clocks, smoke detectors, and soft toys such as a teddy bear, just to name a few.
This style of camera is differentiated according to its effectiveness. A 360-degree revolving dome camera can capture images anywhere on the site. Infrared surveillance type cameras are found used by government agencies such as the MI5 for tailing suspects at night. They too are found mounted in police helicopters to aid them in searching suspects hidden in brush by either day or night.
Detective agencies and security agencies use these cameras to monitor people at their client's request. It is currently lawful in most areas to install a camera in a common public area and record public activities; however, there is a lot of debate over this subject. Even government agencies need a warrant in order to carry out video surveillance in private places or homes. Small hand held cameras, also available in the marketplace, help monitor the elderly and in nurseries and preschools where children are kept under watch.
Video surveillance cameras are available in the price range of £50 to £500 for the most part. However, it depends on the complexity of the technology used in them. Well-made fake cameras are also available for as less as £20, which act as deterrents for robbers and thieves but are not recommended in some applications.
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Be a Private Eye
The role of the private detective has changed since the days of wide brimmed hats and trench coats. Today's private detective offers a wide range of services and beginning this career path can lead into a variety of industries. Modern investigation services are diverse and help all manner of clients gather information for a number of reasons.
For those thinking of becoming a private detective they must appreciate the role that must be undertaken. Fundamentally private investigators gather information for individuals and businesses. They assist those in the legal profession with financial, personal and legal problems; often their clients are in the insurance industry.
The majority of private detectives are trained to undertake physical surveillance on a subject. This can often be for extended periods of time so to be a private detective, perseverance is a necessity. The ability to use computer databases to find information rapidly is also a large part of the contemporary private investigation industry.
The work of a private detective also includes questioning suspects, photographing suspects 'red-handed' and bringing illegal activities to the attention of the police; subsequently private investigators are often asked to testify in court.
In terms of the skills and attributes you need to become a private detective a number of qualities are a must. Firstly you must not be afraid of confrontation as your presence as a private detective is often unwanted. The ability to think on your feet and come up with solutions on the spot is vital as private investigators usually act alone without support; the majority of the time you will be responsible for your own safety.
Secondly any private detective must possess good interviewing and interrogating techniques. These are usually acquired in past careers in the law enforcement professions although training courses on these elements of the business are available.
Finally a private detective must be able to present their information in a clear and coherent manner. This is a vital part of the job role as going to court and giving information in front of juries in order to obtain convictions is a large constituent of being a private detective. Making this information believable is also crucial.
Although no formal education is required to become a private detective increasingly firms are looking for university graduates to fulfil positions. Advisable subjects for those wishing to enter the career are law enforcement, security administration, criminal justice and forensic sciences. Although these subjects will not guarantee a job they are believed to give a good head start into the industry.
Becoming a private detective straight after the education process however is not easy, competition for jobs within the industry is fierce. There is a large amount of retirees who enter the industry from law enforcement and military careers making it difficult for those without experience to enter the job role.
Entry level positions such as store detectives offer the best way to begin in the private investigation industry allowing candidates to accumulate experience. Such jobs can be found with large shopping chains and shopping centres.
As the need to protect confidential information, fear of crime and litigation cases in both the business and personal spheres increase; the work of private detectives will grow. As this seems almost certain to happen becoming a private detective can be viewed as a job with good long term career prospects.
If you feel you possess some of the skills discussed here and believe you could perform the role efficiently, maybe becoming a private detective is the right career choice. Added to job satisfaction of doing something to prevent illegality, this is a worthy cause to devote a working life to.
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