Keeping tabs on an individual's activities without being discovered is an art form. Some investigators do it well, others don't. Successful surveillance investigators, whether doing mobile, fixed or on-foot surveillance, must be able to blend into the background of the surroundings and observe and record activities (video) without being noticed by the subject. This requires practice and experience and, at Parrent Smith Investigtions, we only use licensed investigators with the experience and skill needed for the job. Our investigators have spent years refining the art of the "tail" and are also equipped with state of the art equipment to complement their skills.

Surveillance is used in many types of investigations. We have done a large scale mobile surveillance in a competitive intelligence investigation, have used surveillance to find and keep tabs on a stalker, used surveillance in employment litigation and workers compensation claims and, in family law investigations, to investigate suspicions of infidelity, or establish facts in custody disputes, including answering questions such as:

• Is the parent who has custody driving with the children in the car while under the influence? Or are they driving in a dangerous manner that puts the children at risk, i.e. at high speeds or dangerously changing lanes and tailgating?
• Are the children being left unattended?
• Are the children being left with person unknown to the parent?

GPS Tracking, a tool in the investigator's arsenal, can only be deployed in certain circumstances. California Law, (specifically, Penal Code Section 637.7), states that non-law enforcement agencies can only use an electronic tracking device "when the registered owner, lessor, or lessee of a vehicle has consented to the use of the electronic tracking device with respect to that vehicle." In a family law situation this means that either spouse, provided they are on the title, can consent to have the unit placed on the vehicle and that the other spouse does not have to give specific consent.

GPS Tracking, even when it is legal to use it, is not a substitute for physical surveillance but rather a way to get better results from surveillance. We call it "GPS assist" - because in situations such as dense city traffic where it is difficult to follow without losing the subject at a stoplight or following too close and being noticed by a suspicious subject, a GPS tracker can help the surveillance investigator maintain contact with the subject. This ultimately saves the client money by making the surveillance time more effective.

Please don't hesitate to call if you feel surveillance could help in your situation.

 

Click here for our case studies page where there are several surveillance stories.

 

Click here for a story that took us to several states: STALKING A STALKER