The eye is upon you: “surveillance.” Criminal and civil investigators gather evidence through observation. Security cameras record every move inside most retail establishments. Highway cameras watch us as we maneuver down every major thoroughfare in city, town or village. In Europe most of the streets are remotely examined by closed circuit TV for criminal or terrorist activities. Surveillance is also used as a behavior modifier. If we know we are being scrutinized by the “candid camera” many will conform to an accepted level of personal social conduct (we’ll behave).
Mark 1 Calibrated Eyeball Visual Inspection
Surveillance is fact of life. Every cop, federal agent, military and yes the bad guys perform some sort of reconnaissance or surveillance on a regular basis. Tool number one is the Mark I eyeball. Many of us look, but don’t see. Every beat cop has his head on “swivel” checking out his environment. He does this for personal survival and for catching suspicious activity. He exploits his vision, uses his peripheral vision as well as what his eyes are centered on.
Enhanced Audio & Video Surveillance & Recording
The next level is enhanced visual and sometimes audio acuity. Monocular, binoculars, night and thermal vision equipment broaden the range and the visual spectrum to provide superior means of observation. They magnify, provide night time observation and thermal imaging devices can penetrate obstacles (i.e. walls). All of this activity needs to be recorded. Written descriptions lack appeal during testimony and may lead in inaccuracies and misunderstanding. Photographs and video recordings aid in the presentation of evidence. Shotgun microphones and other hearing aids coupled to digital or tape recorders provide for audio evidence as well, though prohibited in certain states or situations. The adage that a “picture is worth a thousand words” and multiply that by 30 (the standard video frame rate) and you have a documentary of the activity under observation.
Types of Audio & Visual Recordings
Retail stores utilize multi-camera video recorders to monitor customer and employee activities to prevent theft.
One tool has provided a substantial contribution to low observable surveillance, the smart phone. Smart phones are accessible, are carried for communications and provide an effective method to record visual evidence, either photo or video. These phones have been the go-to tool for terrorist when conducting surveillance or reconnaissance of a potential target. They are effective and unobtrusive method for gathering and recording data. There is the real spy versus spy gadgets, button mics, pinhole cameras, GPS and tracking devices. These are a reality. There are devices to track your vehicle if it is stolen. Cell phone tracking is possible, though not acknowledged by the carriers. Many phones have built in GPS capabilities, and electronic camera and audio microphones are available to the consumer, higher-end equipment is used by profession investigators, public and private. The computer is a valuable “Swiss army knife” for tracking social media, recon and surveillance. Many devices utilize digital data transfer and computer control of multiple cameras with digital recording.
Static & Dynamic Surveillance
Surveillance can be static or dynamic. Static situations allow the observation of the targeted activity or individual either remotely through video cameras or at a distance involving minimum movement of the investigator or target. Rolling surveillance is either pedestrian or vehicular and involves movement for both the observing and targeted parties. Multiple assets are needed to conduct an effective rolling surveillance.
Surveillance, Private Investigations, Security & More in Greater Miami, Sunny Isles, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Miami Gardens Florida
Successful surveillance requires professionally trained experts to conduct proper observation and documentation while exploiting reliable and sophisticated tools. Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami FL provides qualified personnel to conduct either a criminal or civil action investigative surveillance or state of the art visual security options.
