ABSTRACT
Operations may require either fixed or moving surveillance or both. Surveillance may be conducted from stationary or xed positions, such as a parked vehicle, a room, or by posing under a cover story (oen in the open or overtly). Surveillance may also be conducted while moving or tailing, such as on foot, in vehicles, or other modes. Loose surveillance involves the exercise of caution, preferring to lose the subject rather than risk detection or exposure. Close surveillance has the opposite priority, preferring to avoid losing the subject even at the risk of detection or exposure. e latter is oen used when the goal is to prevent a crime or learn more about the subject’s contacts. Ideally, surveillance should go undetected without losing contact, but oen a balance must be made between these competing objectives. (See Figures 3.1 and 3.2 for common surveillance methods.)
Surveillance involves two broad categories: (1) passive surveillancejust watching (possibly electronically tracking a vehicle or using electronic communications devices, closed-circuit television monitoring of an intersection, or watching a location through a thermal imaging device); and (2) interactive surveillance-surveillant interaction with the surveillance target (e.g., an undercover [UC] operation tape recorded by a body wire or video recorded by a covert camera). Interactive surveillance has dierent technology, tactical considerations, and legal requirements than passive surveillance (Foster, 2005, p. 311).
