Surveillance Techniques and Counter-Surveillance
Method
Surveillance work splits into stationary (fixed observation post) and mobile (foot or vehicle follow), each with covert and overt variants. Good practice depends on pre-surveillance planning: subject description, known routes, likely destinations, lighting, and a route map with alternates. Contemporaneous logging is the backbone of credibility - each entry records time, location, observation, and the corresponding media file identifier. Equipment checks happen before deployment: time sync across camera and watch, battery, storage, and lens.
Counter-surveillance
The subject may run detection routes, sudden stops, or mirror checks. Investigators should expect and document rather than react. Counter-surveillance is also defensive: assume your own vehicle, social media, and client communications may be monitored.
Legal boundaries
Observation from public places is generally permissible, but the method can convert a lawful observation into a tort or crime: trespass onto private property, peering into curtilage or through windows, hidden cameras in private spaces, GPS trackers placed without consent where statutes prohibit it, and audio recording without required consent. Persistent surveillance that serves no legitimate purpose can shade into stalking or harassment.
Traps
- Assuming 'public place' makes every technique lawful.
- Recording audio out of habit in an all-party-consent jurisdiction.
- Reconstructing a log from memory at the end of the day.
- Losing the link between a video file and the log entry describing it.
Rule of thumb
If it isn't in the log with a timestamp, it didn't happen. Write each entry as you observe it, and treat every file name as an exhibit number.