Surveillance in Private Investigations - Research Paper Example

Surveillance in Private Investigations Canada Abstract The paper deals with ascertaining the importance of surveillance in private investigations in Canada. The importance and the methods of surveillance used by the investigators and its effect on the investigation process are addressed. The pros and cons faced by the investigators due the policies and cases provided to the private investigation agency. There are a number of challenges faced by private investigators while dealing with an assortment of challenges during investigation. It has been observed that at times the private investigators are provided petty cases which at times undermine their capability. However, they always aim to ensure that the specified laws in Canada are maintained while performing their varied activities. Introduction Private investigation refers to gathering and tracking of information to solve varied problems. Surveillance is a part of the investigation which helps to keep an eye on a person, place and object to identify the executed activities. Private investigators conduct surveillance to stop crime, get evidence of the crime and to obtain information regarding the suspect, which facilitate the investigators during interrogation in order to gain proper understanding. Investigators also use surveillance to be safe and secure as it provides information with proof which supports there method of investigation. The act of conducting surveillance is best done by the private investigators as they are licensed and insured and they possess the right to gather information through audio and video. The private investigation is done when the people are hired for a particular task by the personnel in order to look for the missing person, background check, unfaithful partner and disappearance of the debtor. The act of investigation is to collect and analyze the information with the use of human and digital surveillance method (Batchelor, 2013). The role of the private investigators in Canada is to preserve peace, along with preventing crimes and offences as well as performing lawful duties with the use of advanced digital methods of surveillance such as the Closed-circuit television (CCTV). The actions of the private investigator are more of covert actions and behind the scene and they have less interaction with the public. In this paper, the importance of surveillance for private investigations is shown with reference to Canada. The advantages and disadvantages of surveillance in private investigations, along with the challenges of working in private investigative sector with regard to insurance claims and fraudulent acts are considered. The paper reveals the different aspects of surveillance in the private investigations in Canada. Surveillance Surveillance is a French word which refers “to watch over” that is specifically used for the suspect and prisoner by the private investigators. It signifies the monitoring of behaviors, actions and changing information of the people who are the suspects by the investigators. This contains the observations of people at a distance through electronic devices as CCTV or electronic transmitted devices such as the internet and cell phones. Surveillance is an advanced technique which is used by the private investigators which requires training to avoid disruption in the process of investigation. Surveillance investigations are vital for the operations of various agencies of private investigation. Surveillance can be open or hidden and mobile and can involve several technical gadgets such as photography; motion activated sensors and GPS tracking devices. It might also use human interception by keeping a keen eye on the criminal or suspect. The physical surveillance is the common technique used by the investigators to derive important information regarding the suspect. It is the act of following the person in such a manner that the required information is gathered without even making the person aware. Investigators require patience and practice in following such method of surveillance (Cockfield, 2003). The process of surveillance is used to keep a social control over the community at large and to reduce the crime rate. It facilitates to maintain the security of the area and monitor threats to avoid or minimize criminal activities. The surveillance aids to increase the level of security which in turn facilitates in enhancing the investigative system. The use of advanced technology by the private investigators helps in dealing with the tactics of the suspects. The devices that are part of surveillance are used to track the location of the crime and the criminal which increases the chances of reducing such actions. These devices of tracking and recording are used by the private investigators when performing their tasks. Moreover, the private investigators use biometric surveillance devices to judge the authentication of the human behavior along with activities while interrogating. Investigators use finger prints and DNA test to check the physical activity of the person with reference to the crime. Moreover, the other pertinent process i.e. facial recognition is the usage of the exceptional configuration of individuals’ facial features to perfectly identify them, through surveillance video. Surveillance is of many forms which helps the investigation process in many ways. Aural surveillance is used when the radio frequency devices are used to trace the suspect and their action. Telecommunication is used in listening to the communication of the people by the investigator to get the required information. The use of codes, data and signals can also be interpreted through this form of surveillance. Visual surveillance includes the use of cameras and CCTV to monitor the suspect. This form of surveillance is effective as the images are getting stored for the future references. The tracking devices and computer surveillance are of importance in monitoring the act of the person through computers. The electronic equipment such as the printers, visual display unit and disk drives are of greater significance when in search for the facts. The rate of crimes can be reduced by the usage of such surveillance techniques in a proper manner. These sources help in solving the issues referred for the private investigations in Canada. In Canada, surveillance agents should avoid behaviors which tend to violate the Criminal Code of Canada. This includes criminal harassment, mischief and dangerous driving in order to collect information (Internal Affairs, n.d.). Pros and Cons The acts of surveillance by the investigators have certain positive and negative impacts. The positive side of surveillance can be ascertained from ensuring the use of digital methods which can enable to save time. The use of hidden cameras can be a legitimate form of evidence in order to prove the crime and the identification of the criminal. On the other hand, the constitution states that every individual has the right to privacy, which is being hindered by placing hidden cameras in workplace and streets for the purpose of security. The surveillance cameras are effective in capturing the crime without being tampered. Moreover, the use of facial recognition software increases the level of security camera images which can be used by the investigators in identifying the person. The authenticity of the images and evidence can be proved through the digital surveillance devices. The process of investigation can be expedited through proper surveillance. The private investigators when tracing for information may not be present at the place of crime but with the use of cameras along with using radio frequency will help them to know the location. The mechanical surveillance is used by the private investors as they can put the cameras in different locations and get information from various areas at a given time. These surveillance devices will provide a 24 hour service in every part to get proper evidence. The surveillance devices are useful for the purpose of investigation as it aids in tracking the images of the vehicle on the roads along with the number plates which in turn aid in avoiding the attacks as the suspicious object is then under strict vigilance. The surveillance act and the investigation team help in reducing the rate of crime and make the people feel safe. The digital devices reduce the cost of the operations while investigating (Kelly, 2013). There are certain issues that might emerge from surveillance including the fact that public at times do not feel free as they are being observed everywhere. The cost of implementation of cameras is high with regard to the private investigations. The fraudulent acts might increase to mislead the investigators regarding the issue. The cameras can interfere much in the personal life of the people and gather records of the confidential data. The private investigators must be technically sound in order to use the devices of surveillance as any mistake may cause a loss of data. The devices used can be a cause of harassment for the people who will be present in the crime spot at the given point. The private investigators are not liable to wiretapping without proper permission in Canada. In addition, the surveillance might render undesired outcomes in circumstances when the mechanical devices might breakdown and stop working (Specialized Investigations, 2013). Methods of Finding Information The private investigators of Canada use various sources to gather information regarding the suspects. They use physical surveillance by tracing the activities of the suspect by following them. In order to get correct and authentic information, they follow the person in cars in disguise to get the relevant data. They also use videos and cameras to gather information. A private investigator needs to do proper research by verifying legal documents, family history along with checking the history of the person who is the suspect. They also use the most common technique of interviewing the suspect in order to get information about the issue. Private investigation agencies are generally given cases such as missing individuals and issues regarding the spouse. In this regard, the private investigators interview the relatives and neighbors of the missing person to get information regarding the person and their behavior. The investigators use methods such as the lie detector test to get the required accurate data from the people. These techniques are used by the professional private investigation agencies with the prior permission of the government. The Canadian government does not allow wiretapping by the private investigators hence they use the interviewing method to get information. The interview is done of the witness of the crime to get relevant information (McMahon, 2001). Conversely, interrogation is done by the private investigators of the prime suspect of the crime. The investigators must be highly alert when gathering accurate information and this can be done by lie detector instrument. The question varies and the style of interrogating and interviewing depends a lot on the nature of the person. The observation and the level of concentration of the investigator are of great relevance when trying to resolve an issue. The method of collecting data might vary depending on the nature of the case. The investigator can check the background of the suspect by verifying the records with the police. While interviewing and interrogating, the investigator must use the cameras to keep the record of the interview which will be useful to provide as evidence. The investigator can use biometric surveillance which is to keep the finger prints and DNA test of the suspect for cross reference. The private investigators use their computer forensic expertise to recover files, data and chats of the suspect to gather information. The method of information should be in a form of conversation to make the suspect feel that the investigator is there to help and not to punish. This will help to get proper accurate information about the crime. Moreover, the style of interview can include an incentive approach, emotional approach and fear too depending on the investigator and the interviewee. Moreover, the surveillance used by the investigators is also of great relevance when trying to extract information from the person (Swol, 1998). Challenges of Work in Private Investigative Sector The private investigation sector in Canada has to abide by many laws while conducting investigation. As per the law of Canada, a private investigator cannot seek information by wiretapping without proper legal notice. In addition, he/she cannot interrogate or interview people without any legal documentation against the suspect. In such cases, they use surveillance devices to get the required information. The private investigation agencies in Canada are majorly provided with petty cases such unfaithful partner and missing person which do not give enough scope to the agencies to prove their worth. The challenge faced by the investigators is that they have no right to arrest the criminal. The private agencies are provided with cases related to the insurance claims. The investigators are often asked to check the death background of the insured to verify the incident as real or fake. The role of the investigator is to provide evidence regarding the legitimacy of the claims (Investigative Research Group, 2013). Video tapes and recordings of the suspect are observed carefully to examine the authentication to help the insurance company with the claim. During the act of investigation, the investors are to follow the ethicality of the society. The data collected by the investigators are highly confidential and hence they need to follow the moral responsibility towards the society. The private investigators are offered bribe to provide covert videos to the insurance companies to gain income, which is an ethical issue faced by these agencies. Contextually, the insurance companies handovers the case to these agencies to provide in-depth information regarding the relevancy of the claim. The Canadian private agencies are facing challenges from the government regarding the authentication of their information. The insurance companies are creating issues regarding the fraudulent claims through the covert videos and requesting for help from the investigation (Sun, 2009). Private Investigators’ Cases The private investigators are valued by the clients in cases such as the missing person information, fraudulent claims involving mortgages, loyalty of the partners and various other cold cases which are not addressed by the police. The private investigators devote a valuable amount of time to the cases in scrutinizing the issues and in finding out the truth. They are hired by the people to widen the scope of their investigation as well as to interview people for further information. The private investigators take these old cases to view them with new perspective and give a better output. The cases regarding unfaithful partner are provided to the private investigators as they give a lot of time and importance to these case. They interview people, look into every possible reason along with information to offer a proper result or output. The cold cases are those cases which are old and have not been resolved by the police due to the burden of work. The private investigators take up these cases and start a fresh investigation using various sources along with giving equal importance to every case. The missing person cases are given to the private investigators for their positive attitude and the use of strategies in order to search the person. These cases help the investigation agencies to use media and derive publicity through successfully cracking the complexities. These cases aid the investigation agencies to gain importance and get more cases. Moreover, the cases from the insurance companies regarding the claims help both the insurance company and the agency. Cases related to validating the unfaithfulness of partners are also provided by clients to the investigators. The cases such as the disappearance of the debtor without paying money are given to the private agencies to find them and get the money back. Background check is also done by the agencies to verify that the information provided by the person is valid and not fake. The private investigation agencies in Canada are responsible for maintaining the secrecy of the cases and the documents viewed on ethical basis. These agencies in Canada obey the specified rules and regulations and also maintain ethics while performing their activities (Dehmel, 2009). Conclusion The paper has provided a lucid comprehension about the importance of surveillance in private investigation. The different forms of surveillance used by the investigators are significant in solving the cases and maintaining the secrecy of the case along with client. The digital devices used have both a negative and positive impacts on the investigation process. The investigators use various methods in order to get proper relevant information related to the cases in concern. The private investigation agencies in Canada usually get petty cases which are not taken up or resolved by the police. They follow all the regulations while procuring information from various sources. They get cases from the clients and maintain the secrecy of the information. The private investigation agencies of Canada abide by the moral and ethical grounds while solving the assigned cases. They face various challenges in their act of gathering information from the government of Canada. The private investigators use various methods of surveillance such as covert and mechanical to solve the different cases efficiently following the guidelines of Canadian law. References Batchelor, D. (2013). How to be a good private investigator. USA: Xlibris Corporation. Cockfield, J.A. (2003). Who watches the watchers? A law and technology perspective on government and private sector surveillance. Queen’s L. J., 364-407 Dehmel, F. (2009). The Canadian investigator. Retrieved from http://www.capicanada.ca/newsletters/Canadian%20Investigator%20March%202009.pdf Investigative Research Group. (2013). Private investigators - assisting corporate Canada with fraudulent WSIB claims. Retrieved from http://irgcanada.com/content/private-investigators-assisting-corporate-canada-fraudulent-wsib-claims Internal Affairs. (n.d.). Surveillance. Retrieved from http://www.internalaffairs.ca/surveillance.html Kelly, H. (2013). After Boston: The pros and cons of surveillance cameras. Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/26/tech/innovation/security-cameras-boston-bombings/ McMahon, R.J. (2001). Practical handbook for private investigators. United States: CRC Press. Swol, K. (1998). Private security and public policing in Canada. Statistics Canada – Catalogue No. 85-002-XIE Vol. 18 No. 13. Sun, V. (2009). Private investigators tell privacy watchdog to stop complaining. Retrieved from http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=84dc4d5e-f475-49e7-9d4b-3cf3d12ce127&sponsor= Specialized Investigations. (2013). Surveillance: Pros & cons. Retrieved from http://www.attyinfo.com/surveillance-pros-cons/ Read More