The Art of Surveillance

Pre-Surveillance Preparation

Pre-surveillance preparation lays the groundwork for everything that follows. In my experience, this phase is often the difference between gathering high-quality, admissible evidence and going home empty-handed. One of the first steps involves conducting open-source intelligence, also known as OSINT, on the subject in question. This can involve looking up social media profiles, real estate records, business listings, and any publicly available clues that might offer insight into the subject’s habits, schedule, daily routes, and key locations they might visit. Even the simplest details, like confirming the colour and make of a subject’s vehicle, can save time and reduce confusion once you are in the field.

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)

Once the OSINT phase is complete, I recommend creating a detailed checklist to ensure all of your equipment is both present and in perfect working order. Doing so is particularly important for camera equipment, which tends to be central to any surveillance operation. Among the most essential considerations is verifying that the date and time settings on your primary camera are accurate. Courts often rely on the timestamps embedded in digital photographs and video recordings to confirm the sequence and integrity of evidence, so any discrepancy can raise questions about credibility. Alongside your main camera, it is also wise to carry a spare camera or backup device. Electronics can fail at the worst times, and having a second camera close at hand and ready to go can keep an operation from grinding to a halt. Spare batteries, additional SD cards, and a means of charging devices (especially if your vehicle is an electric vehicle that relies on battery power itself) can make the difference between capturing decisive footage and missing an opportunity altogether.

Surveillance Vehicle

It is not just your recording equipment that needs attention. A vehicle safety check before you start surveillance can prevent avoidable interruptions or embarrassing roadside incidents. Make sure your windows are clean so you can film or photograph through them if the need arises. If you are operating a gas-powered vehicle, fill the tank in advance to avoid leaving your post halfway through the assignment. If you drive an electric vehicle, ensure it is fully charged and that you have a plan in place for recharging if you anticipate a long assignment. A separate bag with an extra change of clothes can be extremely helpful in case of unexpected weather changes or if you need to alter your appearance to blend into a new environment. Some investigators find it useful to display stickers from popular rideshare services like Uber or Lyft on their vehicle. Such stickers can reduce suspicion from passersby or the subject, as people often assume a car with rideshare decals is waiting for a passenger, rather than on a surveillance mission.

Surveillance Tip:

Another important consideration is knowing how to switch off your daytime running lights (DRLs). This can be vital during covert operations where even a small glare can draw unwanted attention. On some vehicles, it’s as simple as engaging the hand brake before turning off the headlights, while others may require turning the engine off and back on again. Certain models even allow you to use coding software or apps to toggle DRLs. If all else fails, consider installing a dedicated switch for the headlight module to maintain full control over your vehicle’s lighting.

Whether you are using a sedan, SUV, or other type of vehicle, consider installing or using curtains or window shades if local regulations allow. This can prevent prying eyes from spotting your camera, notes, or electronic device screens. At night or in low-light conditions, it is equally important to maintain light discipline. The glow of a mobile phone or laptop screen can reveal your presence inside a parked vehicle, and switching interior lights on can draw unwanted attention from neighbours, security personnel, or even the subject. By planning for these contingencies before you arrive on-site, you can maintain the advantage of concealment throughout your surveillance.

Setting Up on Site

Arriving on site is the next phase where meticulous procedures pay dividends. One technique I have found particularly useful is to begin each assignment by recording a short video clip of the nearest street sign, followed by your vehicle’s odometer reading. This practice helps create a clear record of the exact location and starting mileage at the beginning of the surveillance, which may be relevant when you compile a final report or itemized billing for mileage and time. From there, you can proceed to document the subject’s residence, the associated vehicles, and their license plates to ensure you have a thorough account of your surroundings. I recommend finding a surveillance position that is not too close to the subject’s home or workplace, as being directly across the street can invite suspicion. Instead, try to establish a vantage point that captures key egress routes or the subject’s primary vehicle, ensuring you can see if they leave the property or if visitors arrive.

Don’t be Seen

If your car is equipped with window shades or curtains, the best practice is to conduct most of your stationary surveillance from the back seat. By doing so, you reduce the chances of being recognized, since people tend to look for a driver in the front seat if they suspect they are being watched. The angle from the rear seat can also help you maintain a lower profile. Should you be working in a high-risk neighbourhood or an area with active neighbourhood watches, it can be beneficial to call the local police station in advance, providing your name, private investigator license number, a vehicle description, and your contact information. Doing this courtesy call does not always guarantee total anonymity, but it can reduce the likelihood of a concerned citizen calling the police on an unfamiliar car, which could lead to patrol officers arriving with lights and sirens. Such a commotion almost always compromises your position and can draw the subject’s attention.

Surveillance Tip:

Don’t risk burning your surveillance before it even begins. Many homes are now equipped with CCTV and doorbell cameras that boast wide-angle views and motion alerts sent directly to the homeowner’s phone. If you spot such devices on your initial drive-by, avoid stopping in front of the property to jot down license plates. Instead, maintain a natural flow of traffic and record critical details—like vehicle makes, models, and plate numbers—using an audio recorder while you pass by. This approach reduces the chance of alerting anyone inside the residence and helps ensure that your surveillance remains covert from the very start.

Gathering Evidence

Documenting activity during the course of your surveillance is another key aspect of successfully completing an assignment. It helps to remember that the final product—the evidence you present to your client—needs to be of professional quality and capable of holding up in court. Whenever you record video, you should zoom in, stabilize, and focus the camera before pressing the record button. Shaky or unfocused footage can undermine the quality of your work. If your agency or jurisdiction stipulates that raw footage must not be edited or altered, the responsibility is on you to capture clear and continuous video. Some investigators attempt to cut out unnecessary or shaky segments, but this can lead to questions about what else might have been removed. To avoid any issues, focus on getting steady shots right from the start. Never use your camera to record while driving. This is not safe and usually leads to unstable video evidence and in many jurisdictions is a violation of distracted driving laws.

How to Record Surveillance Videos

A short five to seven second hourly audit clip of the subject’s home, vehicles, or immediate vicinity can help demonstrate continuity in your observations, showing that you have kept a consistent watch over the area. When you conduct mobile surveillance, I usually advise against taking extensive handwritten notes while moving, since doing so can cause you to lose visual contact with the subject. A small audio recorder can be an excellent tool for capturing key details in real time, and screenshots of Google Maps locations you visit can serve as quick references when writing your final report. It is typically required that evidence be gathered only on designated company video cameras and SD cards, rather than on personal devices. This is to ensure that, if opposing counsel requests a forensic analysis of the recording device or storage media, only work-related items are subject to inspection. Mixing personal content with investigative material can create legal complications and privacy concerns.

Surveillance Tip:

Be mindful of any conversations or background noise inside the surveillance vehicle while recording. Although most agencies remove audio before delivering evidence to the client, the original footage (with sound) can still be subject to cross-examination. Keep chatter to a minimum, and remember that anything captured might later be scrutinized.

Optimize your Surveillance Camera Settings

If your camera supports high-resolution settings and offers a strong optical zoom, it is best to rely on that rather than using digital zoom, which can degrade image quality and potentially render the footage unusable in court. Each case’s evidence should ideally be stored on its own dedicated SD card that is clearly labelled and stored safely for a minimum of several years (in many jurisdictions, seven years is the standard). Organizing and preserving evidence in this manner prevents confusion and allows for easy retrieval if the case returns to court or if the client requests additional copies of the documentation.

Consider your Surroundings

In certain neighbourhoods, the presence of a stranger in a parked car can arouse suspicion in residents or passersby, leading them to approach you. Creating a credible cover story is therefore essential. My recommendation is always to remain calm, polite, and professional, never escalating the situation. If you are pressed to identify yourself, you may reveal that you are a private investigator, but it is crucial to avoid disclosing the identity of your subject or the company for which you are working. You have an ethical obligation to protect the privacy of all parties involved, including the individual you are investigating. In many regions, you are required by law to show your private investigator license if asked by a member of the public or law enforcement, but you may not have to allow them to photograph it. Familiarize yourself with local regulations on this point to be sure of what is and is not required.

What to do if Approached

To further deflect suspicion about the nature of your work, you might opt to give a cover story that is deliberately unrelated to the real subject matter. For instance, if you are investigating a case related to child custody, you might tell a curious bystander that you are looking into auto insurance fraud, and vice versa. In more affluent areas where private security is commonplace, you could say that you are part of a security team assigned to provide an early threat warning for a high-profile client in the area. This tactic helps maintain the confidentiality of your investigation while providing a plausible reason for your presence. Of course, if a resident or local official remains uncomfortable or demands more information than you can legally or ethically disclose, it is wise to diffuse the situation by offering the phone number of your agency’s office to facilitate any follow-up inquiries. Each agency should have its own Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for these circumstances. Professionalism under these circumstances can go a long way toward preserving your cover and preventing needless complications.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

Every private investigator must remain conscious of the ethical and legal restrictions governing their activities. Adhering strictly to local, state or provincial, and federal laws is non-negotiable. Gathering evidence by trespassing on private property or installing unauthorized GPS devices or audio recorders is not only unethical, but also likely to render your findings inadmissible if the matter goes to court. Engaging in such actions can harm the reputation of the entire investigative profession and expose you or your agency to legal liability. If there is any uncertainty about the legality of a surveillance method, it is essential to seek clarification from a supervisor, review the relevant statutes, or consult legal counsel. Maintaining integrity in your investigative approach protects the rights of everyone involved and helps ensure that your evidence stands up to scrutiny if challenged.

Ontario Private Investigator’s Resources:

Ontario’s Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA)

Ministry of the Solicitor General – Licensing for Private Investigators

Council of Professional Investigators Ontario (CPIO)

Consolidation of Evidence

When you have completed your day’s surveillance, be sure to document your final odometer reading and capture another brief video of the nearest street sign or intersection. This step mirrors the documentation you performed at the start of the operation and helps establish a clear record of when and where your surveillance ended. Maintaining such details also creates a transparent account of the mileage you have driven, which can be important for both client billing and verifying the scope of your investigation. In my experience, writing up the day’s activities as soon as you leave the area is crucial, as memories can fade surprisingly quickly. Recording your observations while they are still fresh ensures accuracy in your report and reduces the risk of confusing events from one case with those of another. By methodically noting times, actions, and relevant details, you create a stronger case file that can stand up to inquiries or cross-examination later on.

Putting everything together, the effectiveness of your surveillance rests on solid planning, thoughtful execution, and professional follow-through. From the moment you begin researching a subject via OSINT to the final step of documenting your mileage and filing your report, every action should be aligned with ethical guidelines and local legal requirements. In doing so, you not only protect yourself from liability but also provide your clients with reliable, court-admissible evidence. This approach underscores the importance of attention to detail, situational awareness, and a deep understanding of the various investigative tools at your disposal.

Even after more than a decade in the field, I continue to refine these techniques and adapt them to new technologies, shifting legal landscapes, and evolving client needs. In many respects, the fundamentals remain the same: do your homework, anticipate challenges, document everything carefully, and never stray beyond the boundaries of the law. These guiding principles enable private investigators to serve their clients effectively while maintaining the trust and respect of the public. With this foundation in place, you are well-prepared to handle the complexities of modern surveillance assignments.

Part 2 to Follow

While this article focuses primarily on preparation and stationary surveillance methods, mobile surveillance often plays a pivotal role in an investigation. The strategies for following a subject’s vehicle without losing track of them or revealing your intentions can be intricate, particularly in densely populated urban areas or when dealing with experienced individuals who suspect they may be under watch. Rather than dilute the focus of this guide by delving too deeply into mobile surveillance, I plan to cover it more comprehensively in a future article. If this is an area of particular interest to you, I encourage you to join our mailing list or keep an eye out for upcoming posts that will delve into advanced tactics and best practices specific to following subjects on the move.

In the next part of this series, I will explore the intricacies of mobile surveillance in greater depth. Until then, I encourage you to review the steps and considerations detailed here and see how they fit into your current investigative practice. Whether you are new to the profession or have years of experience, continuous improvement is key to staying ahead in a constantly changing industry. By adopting a thorough, methodical approach to all phases of surveillance, you uphold the integrity of your work and ensure that your clients receive the best possible service. And as always, remember that preparedness, professionalism, and respect for the law are the cornerstones of any successful private investigation.