Counter-Surveillance Detection Routes Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Counter-Surveillance Detection Routes flashcards as text
In mobile surveillance detection, why is it preferable to make turns at intersections rather than mid-block U-turns?
Answer: Turns at intersections appear natural and provide observation angles to identify vehicles making the same turn
Turns at intersections are consistent with normal driving behavior and allow the agent to observe which vehicles consistently follow through the same turns.
What distinguishes a 'fixed' surveillance post from a 'mobile' surveillance asset during SDR analysis?
Answer: Fixed posts observe from stationary positions and hand off to mobile assets; mobile assets follow the subject in motion
Fixed surveillance posts observe a location and report movement to mobile surveillance teams who then physically follow the subject, creating a relay coverage pattern.
An agent notices the same vehicle three times during an SDR at non-consecutive points. What is the FIRST action recommended by SDR protocol?
Answer: Note the vehicle's description and continue the route to gather more confirmation data
A single sighting triplet requires additional confirmation before assuming surveillance; the agent should continue the route while gathering more data to confirm or deny the pattern.
Why are public transportation systems (buses, subways) considered valuable elements in foot SDRs?
Answer: Last-minute boarding and exiting forces surveillance to either expose themselves by following or lose the subject
Last-second boarding or exiting transit forces surveillance teams into a dilemma: follow and expose themselves or break contact and lose the subject.
What is the significance of 'washing' an SDR route after use?
Answer: Never reusing the same route to prevent surveillance from pre-positioning on a known path
Repeating the same SDR route allows surveillance teams to anticipate the agent's path and pre-position assets, defeating the purpose of the detection route.
Which environmental condition MOST degrades the effectiveness of a pedestrian SDR?
Answer: Heavy pedestrian crowd density
Extreme crowd density allows surveillance teams to hide among numerous pedestrians, making individual identification of followers much more difficult.
During an SDR, an agent deliberately enters a store with a single entrance and exit. What tradecraft purpose does this serve?
Answer: To create a 'trap' that forces surveillance to either follow and expose themselves or wait outside
A single-entrance store forces surveillance to enter and expose themselves, wait outside and potentially be spotted, or lose contact with the subject — all outcomes that benefit the agent.