Surveillance is one of the many skills offered by a private investigator. It can be great when you need to document someone's whereabouts since they'll use a variety of different techniques to get the job done discreetly. Here is what you need to know about how a private investigator does their job. 

The Role Of Surveillance

Many people hire a private investigator for a very specific need. This could include a spouse wanting to look into possible infidelity by their spouse or to determine if someone is committing insurance fraud to fake an injury. A private investigator will monitor a person's activities, and then report back to the client with information that is reliable and accurate. The purpose is to simply observe someone's behavior without being detected, which helps the evidence become admissible to a possible court case. 

The Pre-Surveillance

Every private investigator will do some preparation in terms of pre-surveillance. They will likely perform a background check to understand more about them, determine their everyday routines, and identify the best times to observe them. For example, they'll want to determine what their work schedule is so that they know when they will be leaving the office and heading home for evening activities. With proper pre-surveillance research, the private investigator can develop a plan to observe the person discreetly.

The Stealth

Private investigators need to blend in with their surroundings so they remain inconspicuous. This involves maintaining a safe distance of space between them and the person they are watching, using different vehicles so that they are not noticed, or even different outfits during the day so they are not easily spotted. Their vehicle may have tinted windows so that people cannot see inside the vehicle which helps them maintain a low profile. 

The Documentation

Having a written report on a person's activities may not be enough, since it needs to be properly documented. A private investigator may use high-resolution cameras, audio recordings, and even GPS tracking to prove where a person is. This can help make their final report be reliable and comprehensive.

The Legal Guidelines 

It's important that a private investigator doesn't break the law when performing surveillance, or else that evidence will not be admissible in court. This means that they are very well-versed when it comes to the laws in their area. They cannot trespass or record video of someone outside in public spaces, and may even be limited in if they can record audio based on state laws. 

Contact a local private investigator to learn more.