| Often, surveillance is mistakenly considered an | | | | education, and more experience. Professional |
| easy task. Surveillance is, in fact, one of the most | | | | Investigators' Associations supply a surveillance |
| complicated types of investigation out there. Many | | | | investigator with networks, resources, and |
| private investigators offer surveillance as a | | | | education. |
| service. Factually, very few investigators know | | | | Experience - this is one of the most important |
| how to properly perform surveillance. It is | | | | questions. Ask the investigator what surveillance |
| important that a client vet the detective they | | | | experience he or she has. Ask for examples of |
| want to hire. Here is a list of factors to ask and | | | | cases they have worked. Ask if they have ever |
| examine before you hire a surveillance | | | | lost a subject during surveillance. If an investigator |
| investigator. | | | | tells you they have never lost someone during a |
| License - ask for and verify the investigator's | | | | surveillance, they either have no experience or |
| license. Most states require a license to operate as | | | | are simply not telling the truth. Many things occur |
| a private detective. States like California require | | | | during a surveillance that hamper or stop the |
| three years full time experience before one can | | | | surveillance. It is impossible for any experienced |
| even apply for a license. | | | | surveillance investigator to not have lost a subject |
| Insurance - verify the investigator has appropriate | | | | during surveillance. |
| insurance that covers surveillance investigations. | | | | These are just a few things to look at when |
| Equipment - ask the investigator about their | | | | considering hiring a surveillance investigator. It is |
| surveillance vehicle and equipment. An experienced | | | | equally important that you speak with the |
| investigator will have a bank of equipment and | | | | investigator. Intuition is a key element when |
| suitable surveillance vehicles. | | | | looking into hiring a surveillance investigator. If |
| Associations - an investigator who belongs to an | | | | what the investigator is offering does not sound |
| association usually has more resources, more | | | | right, it probably isn't. |