There are many forms of private investigation. Images of shady characters in long over coats wearing large hats and tailing suspects through busy city streets readily come to mind but in reality, these images are best reserved for Hollywood. If you are thinking of becoming a private investigator or you are just starting out, surveillance will be an important part of your charter.

This article will endeavor to present some private investigation and surveillance tips which may help you in determining whether this is for you. The world of the private investigator is one of patience and dedication which will see you in some unusual situations.

Let's start with investigation vehicle and tailing.

For mobile surveillance it's recommended that mini-vans are preferred. Accessories such as tinted glass are an excellent smoke screen that allows you  to sit in the back, unnoticed, almost anywhere. It's also suggested that older mini-vans are better because they blend in better and are more nimble than newer ones. These type of mini-vans are a dime a dozen and don't draw attention.

More Private Investigation And Surveillance Tips - Tailing On The Move

When tailing in city streets, it's advised to stay on the suspect vehicle's bumper while in slower areas, you should allow a car between the vehicle you are following and you. The problem of conducting a tail in the city is that there are too many stoplights, traffic and stop signs. Losing your suspect can be easy.

A private investigator has to possess some detective ability as well. When determining whether a vehicle has been moved during the night check the dew on the vehicle. If it's lacking, then this is a sure sign the vehicle was moved. Staying in touch with a person when you are tailing requires a little skill but this gets better with more experience. When the vehicle you are following makes a sudden stop in front of a house, keep calm and continue on a short way and when appropriate, pull into an empty driveway but keeping the target in view at all times.

Some Verifying And Recording 101

Experienced private investigators generally follow the same process with verifying a person's address. The obvious is a name on the mailbox but if there are none, then check to see if there is mail protruding from the mailbox before taking a quick look.

Count the number of electric meters to ascertain whether the home is a multi-family or single home. Taking detailed notes via a voice recorder or pen and paper is highly recommended. If there is a vehicle in the driveway, make note of the vehicle's number plate and it's make as well as the date and time. Record anyone showing up, any vehicle movement, etc. Taking notes is important for your client’s report. Accuracy is vital because, as a private investigator, you may be asked to testify.

It is always difficult to accurately estimate the height of an individual. One tip is to compare the person's height to that of the vehicle that they get out of or into. This becomes much easier over time.

Video Surveillance Tips

For starters, make sure you have a reliable camera because of the stop start nature of this kind of surveillance. One trick is to create a border between each clip and an effective way is just placing a hand or fingers over the camera. Your camera should display a time and date stamp; today, this is almost regulation with most cameras. Don't just concentrate on close ups of the suspect; wide shots are critical in verifying that the person was actually at the location you are surveying.

Finally and this is often overlooked, toilet paper, yes, toilet paper is often a good idea. Why? Well, simply put, you will be involved in the occasional long stake out and when mother nature beckons in awkward situations, you'll be glad you have a roll of toilet paper in the vehicle.

While the above doesn't sound as glamorous a job as that portrayed by Robert Mitchum as the famous Philip Marlowe, it's not meant to be. But if you adhere to proper private investigation and surveillance tips, then your career as a private investigator should prove rewarding.

	Keylogger Surveillance Manager - Spy on All Computer Activity Secretly. See social chat, websites, email, passwords and more... Sale Price: $24.99
	Keylogger Surveillance Manager is extremely popular with parents, partners and employers who are interested in monitoring all computer activity. Keylogger Surveillance Manager software will automatically monitor all websites visited, chat conversations, email and more...

	Avermedia NV5000 120 Frames Per Second Video Capture Card with Surveillance Software Sale Price: $256.01
	Video Capture - PCI - NTSC, PAL - Video Capture Card

	Stash It - Video Spying and Security Encryption Software Sale Price: $9.95

	Wireless IP Pan/Tilt/ Night Vision Internet Surveillance Camera Built-in Microphone with Phone remote monitoring support - Black Sale Price: $49.39
	Specs: Image Compression Format: M-JPEG standard Image Resolution: VGA(640x480) / QVGA(320x240) Sensor: 1/4 inch CMOS, 300,000 Pixels Light frequency: 50Hz, 60Hz or Outdoor Audio compression: ADPCM Data rate: 802...

	How to Set Up Home Surveillance - Secrets to Creating a Free Home Surveillance System
	If you want to discover how to set up a home surveillance system with a laptop, webcam, and mobile phone, then check out the "How to Set Up a Home Surveillance System" now.This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to create your own home surveillance system for free...

	EasyCAP USB 2.0 Audio/Video Capture/Surveillance Dongle Sale Price: $4.96
	Dimensions: 3.54 in x 1.06 in x 0.55 in

	IP Cam Viewer Full Sale Price: $3.99

	Swann DIY Security Camera (Color) Sale Price: $21.45
	Color Video Camera With Audio; Lens: 6.0Mm; All Purpose Security Camera For Home Or Business; High-Quality Color Images: 1.5 Lux Illumination; Built-In Microphone; Up To 380 Tv Lines Resolution; Bracket For Wall/Ceiling Mounting; Includes 15-Ft A/V Cable & Bnc Cable

	Logitech Alert 750e Outdoor Master Security System with Night Vision Sale Price: Too low to display
	Logitech alert 750e outdoor master system is the weatherproof, night vision video security system you can set up yourself and count on when you need it. installation is simple and takes just minutes.

	Day 6 Plotwatcher Time Lapse Video Camera Sale Price: $129.60
	Know exactly where to hunt without spending days manually scouting a location with the Day 6 PlotWatcher HD time-lapse game surveillance camera. The PlotWatcher records HD images of all the activity that happens in a select area in the days before you hunt...

nvestigation is rapidly making the change to becoming an online business. Yes, physical surveillance and interviewing people will still be a part of the industry but the internet has opened up a huge opportunity for P.I.s

The use of private investigation software has also become big business and just doesn't encompass the general software one uses to keep their accounts in order. If you are thinking seriously about a career in private investigation then it may pay to pursue the area of online investigations and become computer literate.

Private Investigation Software/ Software For Private Investigation

The modern P.I. now relies heavily on computers and the internet. The use of private investigation software has given the private investigator a lot of extra searching power and this is only going to get better in the next few years.

Software is required for investigations, manage business and keeping records. Make no mistake, it's one of the most significant tools for the modern private investigator.

Let's take a look at the types of private investigation software now being used:

- Background investigation software is becoming more cutting edge and allows a private investigator to conduct background checks and also to confirm information they collect. Many firms yet to engage this type of software will outsource it but many are realizing it's fast becoming one of the more essential tools of a P.I. business.

- Software allowing private investigators to conduct computer monitoring may be bordering on unethical for many but as an investigator, it's essential in assisting investigations. Surveillance isn't just conducted off line, private investigation software can enable it to be conducted online as well.

- Software which enables a P.I. to conduct simple searches online, over and above what's available to them free, are also available. Searching for individuals and addresses as well as performing background checks makes life a lot easier.

- One of the more valuable pieces of private investigation software is what's known as case management tools. In essence, this allows a P.I. business to manage cases as well as filing and storing documents, generation of client reports and billing. It's basically software which helps keep a lot of the administrative information in check.

If you are considering investing in private investigation software just be aware that some of it may have legal implications so at least conduct your own investigations and find out whether it crosses that fine line between abiding by the law of breaking it.