course description
The ability to conduct surveillance is by far one
of the most important and lucrative skills a private investigator
can possess! Surveillance can also be one of the most difficult,
tedious, challenging, yet rewarding tasks an investigator performs.
It is a skill-set that requires concentrated practice built upon a
solid foundation of time-tested fundamentals. This course is written
to give you the information needed to successfully obtain and report
video-based evidence that can withstand the scrutiny of litigation
and give your clients the edge they need!
This course, written in 2010 by L. Scott Harrell, teaches course
participants the most important aspects of surveillance: how to
prepare for a surveillance assignment before leaving the office,
detailed diagrams describing the surveillance set-ups and
investigator positioning used by veteran investigators, using
today’s technology in throughout every aspect of surveillance
operations, preparing professional surveillance reports and
understanding the many the legal aspects affecting video evidence
obtained through covert surveillance.
This course is approved for 14 hours of instruction in Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Iowa; 12 hours in Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky; 7 hours in Louisiana; 8 hours in Kansas; 10 hours in Oregon, South Carolina and for Arizona Process Servers; 6 hours in North Carolina; 4 hours in New Mexico. An exam will be administered upon the conclusion of the program. If the candidate passes with a score of 75% or better, a certificate of completion will be issued in accordance with state licensing authority standards.
This CE program has been approved by the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners on 3-1-2011 and is valid for one year from this date for SEVEN (7) HOURS OF CE CREDIT. With the purchase of this course you will receive the mandated LSBPIE Ethics course (1 CEU Hour) for free. When you have completed this course you will then be able to register yourself for the free LSBPIE Ethics Course.
the author
L. Scott Harrell has been a professional investigator for over 17 years. He began a career in the intelligence and investigations tradecraft when selected to work with several intelligence units while serving our country in the United States Navy. Since his discharge, Scott has continued to apply the very special skills honed in the military through his own private investigation practice and service within the private security industry. Scott has worked with Fortune 500 companies, owned and managed two very successful agencies in Texas, Florida and Louisiana. He is also a noted speaker, mentor and author of ten (10) investigation-related books.
program outline
Surveillance Synopsis
- Introduction to Surveillance
- The Surveillance Objective
- Qualities of a Successful Surveillance Investigator
Preparation and Assignment Intake
- Preparing for the Surveillance Assignment
- Getting the Right Information from the Client
- The Pre-Surveillance Investigation
- Conducting Activity Checks vs. Surveillance
- Choosing a Surveillance Vehicle
- Necessary Surveillance Equipment and Gear
Today's Surveillance Technology
- Advanced Surveillance Technology
- GPS Tracking Devices
- Article - Are You Getting Poor GPS Tracking Results
- IP Video Surveillance
- Wireless and Remote Image Transmission Technology
- Pinhole and Microcircuit Cameras
Types of Surveillance
- Surveillance Methods
- Stationary Covert and Overt Visual Surveillance
- Mobile Surveillance
In the Field and On Location
- Tailing Methods and Tactics
- Establishing a Surveillance Position
- Rural Surveillance
- Blending into the Environment
- Surveillance at Night
- Photography and Videography Fundamentals
- Making a Positive Identification of the Subject
- Improving Your Own Powers of Observation
- Managing Confrontation
- Being Approached by Law Enforcement
- Courtesy Surveillance Notification
- Pretexting
- Pretext Scenarios and Examples
- Surveillance Tricks of the Trade
- Working the Case after Getting Burned
- Summer Surveillance Considerations
- Winter Surveillance Considerations
- Managing Emotional and Physical Stress
- Article - Private Investigators in Pain
Notes and Report Writing
- Investigative Notes
- An Investigator's Guide to Writing Well
- The Surveillance Report
- Video/Photographic Surveillance Activity Log
- Article - Writing Excellent Surveillance Reports
- Emerging Internet Tools for Pre-Surveillance Checks and Reports
- Using Internet Mapping and Imaging in the Surveillance Report
- Submitting the Final Report: Security, Compatibility and Portability
The Legal Aspects of Surveillance
- Surveillance and the Law
- Article - When Does Surveillance Become Stalking
- Recording Telephone Calls. Is it Legal?
- Surveillance Case Law
- Being Prepared for a Solid Stand at Trial
- What is Legally Allowed in Surveillance Video Documentation
- Editing Surveillance Video Footage for Trial
- Editing Digital Still Images for Trial
Conclusion
- Common Surveillance Terminology
- Bibliography and Information Credits
