This article outlines the equipment needed to spy on and do surveillance on a client, family member or so-called friend.
Doing mobile surveillance is one way to get into the private investigations line of work. It can also gather evidence on persons who are alleged to have made false insurance or disability claims. In other cases, an individual may use mobile surveillance to spy on or investigate the activities of a cheating spouse or dishonest employee.
The Most Important Piece of Equipment for Mobile Surveillance
The essential equipment that a private investigator can have is a video camera. Camcorders can record the most compelling evidence against an individual because video footage generally speaks for itself and allows the viewer to see what happened. Therefore, a private investigator will need a camera with the following features:
- Steady shot – In many instances, the video will have to be shot while the subject and the investigator are moving, necessitating an image stabilization feature.
- A tripod – In cases where lengthy video footage is being captured, it is a good idea to have a tripod so that the investigator can rest their hand while getting more stable shots of the subject.
- An LCD – An LCD will allow for shooting without looking through the viewfinder, making around the corner, above the head and below the waist shooting positions possible.
In addition to having a good camera, the investigator will need to have an adequate supply of videotape or digital storage media, depending on the camera being used. It is also a good idea to carry spare batteries and an inverter to charge the camera from a cigarette lighter if the batteries run low.
Other equipment that will be needed to do mobile surveillance includes binoculars, pencils, pens, water, food and a notepad. A digital camera is also excellent, but it may not be necessary if the video camera is working just fine.
Notepad and pencils – Part of the investigation process is recording information that will go toward making a final report or compiling data that will be important to the ongoing investigation. This information can include a record of who the subject met with, arrival and departure times from a particular venue and what the issue was wearing.
Binoculars – This is handy for ascertaining license plate numbers or keeping an eye on the subject(s) or activities. And because it doesn’t use batteries, it can be used for hours of surveillance while conserving the camera’s batteries.
Food and water – when doing mobile surveillance, investigators cannot leave the observation site less they miss an important event or the subject’s next move. For this reason, the investigator should take enough food and water to last longer than they expect to be on the job, which could last many hours.
Especially on warm days, it is essential to carry lots of water. Having enough water is even more critical if the surveillance is conducted while the sun pelts down on the investigator’s vehicle. The engine can’t be left running for fear of raising the suspicion of onlookers. Using the water bottle as a urine receptacle may even be necessary to avoid going to the vehicle to get to the bathroom.