Surveillance Techniques Flashcards

An investigator loses sight of a subject during vehicle surveillance. What is the best immediate action?

Answer: Proceed to a known destination or likely route of the subject

Anticipating the subject's likely destination or common route allows the investigator to reestablish contact without compromising the surveillance through reckless driving.

What is the primary legal concern when placing a GPS tracking device on a subject's vehicle?

Answer: Whether the investigator has proper authorization or consent

GPS tracking of a vehicle without proper legal authorization or the vehicle owner's consent may violate federal and state laws, including the Fourth Amendment protections.

During a surveillance, an investigator notices the subject has stopped their vehicle and appears to be watching the investigator's car. This situation is called:

Answer: A counter-surveillance action

Counter-surveillance occurs when a subject takes deliberate actions to detect, identify, or evade someone they believe is following them.

Which type of photography is most useful for documenting surveillance evidence from a distance without alerting the subject?

Answer: Telephoto lens photography

Telephoto lenses allow investigators to capture clear, detailed images from a significant distance, avoiding detection while producing admissible photographic evidence.

What does 'burn' mean in surveillance terminology?

Answer: The subject discovers they are being watched

A surveillance is said to be 'burned' when the subject becomes aware they are being watched, which typically ends the usefulness of that particular operation.

When documenting surveillance observations in a log, what information is most critical to record?

Answer: Date, time, location, and objective description of activities observed

Accurate, objective surveillance logs must capture date, time, location, and factual descriptions of observed activities to ensure evidentiary value and credibility in legal proceedings.

In surveillance, what is a 'choke point'?

Answer: A narrow area or route a subject must pass through

A choke point is a geographic location—such as a bridge, intersection, or doorway—that a subject must pass through, allowing investigators to reacquire the subject if contact is lost.