Observation
[lat. pursuit], to observe, observing suspicious persons to combat crime and espionage
Observations are not always popular, neither with detectives nor with clients. At the end of the day, observers can only ever react, but never determine what happens. The results of their work depend solely on how the target behaves. If a target has, say, “infectious hair root influenza” and thus stays at home, the investigators are left hanging around outside without achieving anything. That is frustrating for the investigators and wastes the client's money.
Observations are therefore almost only ever used when there are no other alternative means of investigation. Nevertheless, observations are often the only feasible way, particularly if up-to-date knowledge is to be obtained on targets, their daily routines, contacts and places they frequent.
Whenever possible, and when it makes sense in the context of the assignment, GPS or GSM localisation systems are also used nowadays as an extra option, whereby a small black box is concealed on the target vehicle. This is not a “miracle cure”. On the one hand, it takes time to install and remove the equipment on the vehicle without being noticed, which sometimes prolongs the observation times. On the other hand, only the vehicle movements are monitored, there is no telling what the target does after parking and leaving the vehicle. A localisation system is therefore frequently deployed to complement personal observations. This enables greater distances to be maintained at less risk and, if visual contact with the vehicle is lost, it can be quickly relocated again.
It thus also – or even especially – applies to observations that the illusions put forward in crime series on television have nothing to do with reality: a single detective can never observe a target over a longer period of time without getting noticed or losing the target. Such attempts are unrealistic and only cost the client unnecessary expenditure.
A few examples taken from many situations which require observations:
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A detective observes targets when it needs to be systematically established where they are and when, and who they meet up with. The written reports on the knowledge gained, possibly substantiated by additional photo and/or video evidence, can be presented to a court of law at any time, whilst the investigators are also available as witnesses.
Observations for companies, e.g. concerning
· Disloyal/lazy staff working in the field, expenses fraud.
· Feigning an inability to work.
· Suspicion of illicit work.
· Violation of an agreed ban on competition.
Observations for private persons, e.g. concerning
· Misconduct within a marriage or similar relationship.
· Alimony matters.
· Custody cases.
We deploy powerful, yet inconspicuous cars and motorbikes with different regional registration plates for observations. Navigation systems, car phones and two-way radios are standard. Yet “old bangers” and camouflaged observation vans are also available for monitoring sensitive areas. We occasionally lay “rocks” or other disguised containers to hide mini-cameras in access paths or hidden corners etc. The recordings are transmitted per radio signal to a receiver vehicle stationed nearby, so that the observer can directly see what is happening.
In order to be able to operate cheaply and in the local proximity, we have processing stations in almost all large cities in Germany, such as Kassel, Hanover, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Mannheim, Würzburg, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Munich.
Corporate customers can find further information on the subject of “Observation and monitoring” at www.HABIGHORST-KG.de, private customers at www.RITA-SCHOLZ.de .
