CFA Counter-Surveillance Detection Routes 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of location is most useful as a 'choke point' when running a surveillance detection route (SDR)?
- A narrow alley or doorway that forces followers into a single path (Correct answer)
- A wide open plaza with multiple escape routes
- A crowded shopping mall food court
- A location near a government building
Correct answer: A narrow alley or doorway that forces followers into a single path
Choke points funnel potential surveillance into a single path, making it easier to identify anyone who must follow you through that restricted space.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a 'stop and stare' technique during an SDR?
- To confront a suspected surveillance team directly
- To pause suddenly and observe reflections or window glass to identify followers (Correct answer)
- To signal a surveillance detection team member
- To mark a location for a future dead drop
Correct answer: To pause suddenly and observe reflections or window glass to identify followers
Stopping suddenly and using reflective surfaces allows an agent to observe who is behind them without making obvious backward glances that alert surveillance.
Question 3: How does 'dry cleaning' differ from running a full surveillance detection route?
- Dry cleaning is faster and used to quickly check for loose surveillance before a sensitive act (Correct answer)
- Dry cleaning involves cleaning SDR notes after a mission
- Dry cleaning is a longer, more elaborate version of an SDR
- Dry cleaning refers to removing technical surveillance devices
Correct answer: Dry cleaning is faster and used to quickly check for loose surveillance before a sensitive act
Dry cleaning is a brief, expedient series of moves designed to quickly shed or identify surveillance before conducting a time-sensitive operation.
Question 4: When planning an SDR, why should an agent vary the pace of their movement?
- To tire out physical surveillance teams
- To create natural opportunities to observe who matches their pace changes (Correct answer)
- To avoid traffic signals
- To confuse GPS tracking devices
Correct answer: To create natural opportunities to observe who matches their pace changes
Varying pace causes surveillance teams to unconsciously adjust their own speed, making them more detectable by breaking natural pedestrian flow patterns.
Question 5: What is a 'surveillance detection unit' (SDU) in the context of field operations?
- A sensor placed in a vehicle to detect tracking devices
- A team positioned along an SDR route to observe for surveillance on behalf of the principal (Correct answer)
- A classified government database of known surveillance operatives
- A radio frequency scanner used during counter-surveillance
Correct answer: A team positioned along an SDR route to observe for surveillance on behalf of the principal
An SDU is a dedicated team stationed at observation points along a route who watch for surveillance assets targeting the principal without the principal's direct involvement.
Question 6: Which scenario best demonstrates 'surveillance aware' versus 'surveillance conscious' behavior?
- Surveillance aware means constantly looking over your shoulder; conscious means ignoring potential threats
- Surveillance aware means naturally incorporating observation into routine behavior; conscious means acting obviously nervous and checking for followers (Correct answer)
- Both terms mean the same thing in field tradecraft
- Surveillance conscious is required training; surveillance aware is an advanced skill
Correct answer: Surveillance aware means naturally incorporating observation into routine behavior; conscious means acting obviously nervous and checking for followers
A surveillance-aware agent observes their environment as part of natural behavior, while a surveillance-conscious agent acts unnaturally and may alert hostile surveillance to their concerns.
Question 7: What is the 'one-third rule' applied to SDR planning?
- Spend one-third of the route in vehicles, one-third on foot, one-third in buildings
- Use one-third of the total operation time for the SDR
- Divide the SDR into thirds so each segment can be evaluated separately for surveillance (Correct answer)
- Limit SDR routes to one-third of the total distance to the destination
Correct answer: Divide the SDR into thirds so each segment can be evaluated separately for surveillance
Dividing the SDR into thirds allows the agent to evaluate surveillance presence progressively, making a go/no-go decision at each segment transition.
CFA Counter-Surveillance Detection Routes 2
Which type of location is most useful as a 'choke point' when running a surveillance detection route (SDR)?