EXTRACTS FROM EYE SPY INTELLIGENCE MAGAZINE SURVEILLANCE Surveillance Tradecraft: A great deal of intelligence (simply a generic term for information) is gathered by thesecurity services using surveillance. Eye Spy Intelligence Magazine has published various in-depth features of this tradecraft - all describing the various methods and techniques used by the world’s leading operatives. In this brief overview the following articles should be of use to professionals and students alike. PAGE 02 SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES - ISSUE 21 PAGE 02 GPS - SURVEILLANCE TRACKING BY STEALTH - ISSUE 39 PAGE 03 THE SURVEILLANCE OPERATOR - ISSUE 22 PAGE 04 SURVEILLANCE - TRIGGERS AND OPERATIONS - ISSUE 23 PAGE 05 FOOT SURVEILLANCE - ISSUE 25 PAGE 05 MOBILE SURVEILLANCE - ISSUE 26 PAGE 07 SURVEILLANCE - TECHNICAL TRACKING DEVICES - ISSUE 27 PAGE 07 SURVEILLANCE - FBI STYLE - ISSUE 38 PAGE 08 SURVEILLANCE - TRICKS OF THE TRADE - ISSUE 40 PAGE 09 THE DARK ARTS - GHOST VEHICLES - ISSUE 46 SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES 1 ISSUE 21 INTRODUCTION: Surveillance can be conducted in various ways but it is primarily divided into five groups. Any of these techniques can be used separately, or in combination with others. Regardless of which method of surveillance is used, all rely heavily on teamwork. Surveillance should never be carried out single-handedly. One-person foot or mobile surveillance has many risks, such as the increased threat of being compro mised, and also a loss of ‘contact’. When alone, there is a higher probability of being spotted by the target (especially if he is believes he is already being surveilled). To avoid being seen, even hanging back and keeping a distance has its hazards: you risk losing sight of the target and also risk losing contact altogether. The five primary methods of surveillance are discussed: Foot surveillance, Mobile surveillance, Static Surveillance, Technical Surveillance, Combined Surveillance Always ensure that you are behind or to the side of the target (out of his 10 to 2 o’clock of vision) GPS - SURVEILLANCE TRACKING BY STEALTH TECHNOLOGY ISSUE 39 One of the fastest growing areas of surveillance is electronic tracking. Previously only available to the intelligence world, ordinary people can now purchase a variety of trackers that use and interact with the Global Positioning System (GPS). Many people imagine such devices have limited use, but the security industry is vast, and so is this area of surveillance. GPS satellites circumnavigate the Earth sending and receiving signal information. When data is forwarded by a tracker, GPS receivers process the signal and calculate the exact location by measuring the time difference from the satellites to determine accurate distances from the satellites. These points are triangulated to arrive at the users location. Satellite navigation receivers operate by line of sight (LOS) with the satellites. A minimum of three satellites must be locked-on to determine the transmitters position to provide tracking capability. At present the United States GPS receivers are fairly accurate to within about 10-30 yards. More advanced trackers can utilise WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) which can pinpoint the signal to within 15 feet. In Europe, technology that accesses the Galileo System is even more accurate. For the security services and law enforcement, it is essential that they can ascertain the location of a target vehicle or object and track its progress, often across thousands of miles. Trackers or loggers available to services such as MI5 or the FBI are more advanced (though not by much) than those available to the private sector, but the technology gap is closing fast. Log recording systems (loggers) have the lowest running and ownership costs. However, the information is available only when the device is recovered. Real time tracking systems can locate a vehicle or other assets at any time and anywhere. Businesses and members of the public often call upon the private sector for guidance and help. To launch a vehicle surveillance operation is extremely expensive, requires a great deal of manpower and is very time consuming, especially if the operation runs for several days. Today’s marketplace has a number of affordable tracking devices that could be of assistance. The following list details just a number of issues that often require the use of trackers or loggers.... SURVEILLANCE 2 - THE SURVEILLANCE OPERATOR QUALITIES, CHARACTERISTICS AND ROLE ISSUE 22 The ideal surveillance operator could be described as: A Mr ‘Nobody’ but a Mr ‘Everybody’ who looks like Mr ‘Average.’ A good standard of surveillance by an individual or team can only be achieved by training, practice and most of all, experience. It is important not to stand out in a crowd and the operator should fit in with his surroundings at all times. His dress code should suit the area in which he is operating and his vehicle should be given the same consideration. Personal Qualities: Not everyone is born as the ‘ideal’ surveillance operator. The making of a good operator will depend upon aptitude, training, practice and again, experience. Confidence: Confidence comes with training, practice and experience. An operative performing surveillance who lacks in confidence will be a liability to himself and the rest of the team. Regardless of what skills we have in life, if we are proficient in what we do the operation will be run that much better. Human skills: Be quick thinking and quick to react: The surveillance target can be very unpredictable in his movements and actions - we must adapt very quickly to ever-changing situations. Immediate reaction when using a radio in order to direct the team and let the team know of the target’s movements and intentions is critical to success. Have patience: Many people consider surveillance to be an exciting occupation. From the operator’s point of view, many hours are spent doing absolutely nothing, waiting for things to happen. The waiting game requires much discipline. When the “action” starts, the operative must get into gear and be at the proper place, doing whatever he has been assigned to do. Be capable of acting naturally at all times and move unobtrusively: What will draw attention in surveillance more than anything else is unnatural behaviour, especially whilst on foot, one should be seen but not noticed. World renowned surveillance trainer Peter Jenkins reveals the secrets of the art of surveillance... Peter Jenkins Good communications skills - essential SURVEILLANCE 3 TRIGGERS AND OPERATIONS THE TACTICS OF SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS ISSUE 23 Every surveillance operation that involves following someone requires a starting point. This is the place where the Target is picked up by the Trigger, the person who initiates the surveillance and has ‘eyes on’. This is probably the most important job on the surveillance team, as this operator must concentrate on the target’s premises or vehicle and alert the team when the target appears out in the open. Once this happens, the team is called to ‘Standby’, and ready to swing into action. Only one person is required to trigger the target away; the remainder of the team remains out of sight - away from the target premises. The surveillance team depends upon the trigger person to be alert, not to fall asleep or be distracted. What normally makes a surveillance operation difficult or easy is the way in which it is triggered. Regardless of which type of trigger is chosen (and there are many), consider the following from your position: Can you see the Target? From the trigger position there must be a clear and unobstructed view of the target, be it the front door of the house, the gate, vehicle or a road junction. Be aware of obstacles such as vehicles or pedestrians that may block your view. Be close enough to identify the target but far enough away for him not to see you. Can the target see you? In surveillance if you can see the target, the target can see you. The trigger position should not be obvious or have it attract attention; nor should it be right outside the target’s front door, but out of his ‘10 to 2’ o’clock arc of vision. This area may be the target’s home, his domain and territory, he therefore may notice anything that is unusual or out of place. TRIGGERS FOR A MOBILE SURVEILLANCE Together with the street plan, let us examine the various trigger positions available. We would expect the target to leave the house by the front door, depart on foot or get into a vehicle and drive away. TRIGGER POSITION From a car in this position we are behind the target so he will not pass us when he goes mobile. Have adequate sight of the front of the house, the car and also the next junction so that a change in direction can be quickly called. When in this position, ensure that: • You are out of the 10 to 2 arc. • You are not overlooked. • Not parked right outside someone’s window. • Do not appear as if you are on a mission (turn off lights, engine and square your wheels). • Sit in the passenger seat. • Have a reason for being there. • Have a cover story ready. All the secrets of ‘triggers’ revealed... SURVEILLANCE 1 - FOOT SURVEILLANCE PRACTICE AND EXPERIENCE ISSUE 25 For a surveillance team, a major part of intelligence on the target will be gleaned whilst out on foot. The exposure risk is high and confidence is an important factor. Foot surveillance carried out single-handedly can be risky and so a minimum of two operators is recommended. Peter Jenkins explains why a good standard of foot surveillance by an operator or team can only be reached by constant practice and experience. EXTRACT: Difficulties will occur if there is a lack of communication between the team. Without radios, confusion arises and the likelihood of a loss of contact or a compromise is very high. Covert radio equipment is essential and communication with each member of the team is essential. During a surveillance operation, there are two things that will always get you noticed, especially whilst on foot: 1. Multiple Sightings 2. Unusual Behaviour The more times a target sees you, the more chance there is of him remembering you. He will remember you if he is ‘surveillance aware’ or by the way that you dress and act whilst out on the street. An experienced operator will attempt to stay out of the ‘10 to 2’ arc of vision, especially whilst on foot. You should remain to the side or behind the target at all times. If you find yourself in a situation where you do get in front of the target, get out of the way as soon as possible; enter a shop, a doorway or side street but do not linger in his ‘10 to 2.’ Remember; if you can see him, he can see you. Unusual Behaviour A surveillance operative must act naturally and have a reason for being in a certain environment or place; this is easier said than done. During training courses I find that students realise that this is one of the hardest things to do in surveillance. Anyone can walk down a street or stand in a shop doorway, but give them a radio and a mission (i.e. watch that shop front) and they turn into a different person. They talk noticeably into their collars, constantly touch their earpiece, shift about and ‘balloon’ around the high street as if trying to dodge a swarm of bees. This is expected in a beginner, but as training, practise and most important - confidence grows, they eventually become effective covert operators. FOOT SURVEILLANCE TACTICS Surveillance has three basic phases; the Pick Up, the Follow and the Housing.... SURVEILLANCE 2 MOBILE SURVEILLANCE METHODS NECESSARY TO FOLLOW A VEHICLE ISSUE 26 Conducting a surveillance operation single-handedly is asking for trouble. The risk of compromise is very high from the outset and loss of contact in traffic is inevitable. Mobile surveillance is probably one of the most difficult types of surveillance to conduct. The target has to be followed without detection and without loss of contact. At the same time, a log of events and actions must be kept, while communicating with other members of the surveillance team, as well as navigate, photograph and consider the target’s future intentions. THE SURVEILLANCE TEAM Mobile surveillance is predominately carried out by a team rather than an individual. If you carry out surveillance on your own, you ‘follow’ the target, whereas a team ‘imposes’ surveillance. There is a big difference. Conducting a surveil lance operation single-handedly is asking for trouble. The risk of compromise is very high from the outset and loss of contact in traffic is inevitable. The success of a surveillance is dependant on how many operators are used; a combination of different vehicles and motorbikes can also provide for an effective surveillance team. A well trained team will enable a mobile surveillance to be carried out with the minimum of effort. Experienced members can use their own initiative without having to be instructed by a team leader. This is useful when a target stops and the team must part to surround him or ‘box him in.’ One of the most important factors in mobile surveillance is communication. Each operator must have a radio to communicate with the rest of the team. Without a radio it is impossible to operate effectively. ‘PLOTTING UP AND BOXING A TARGET’ In the area of where a surveillance is to commence, team members must carry out a reconnaissance of the general area to familiarise themselves with the layout of the estate and escape routes that a target can take. A member of the team should drive or walk past the address, keeping a lookout for... Vehicle trackers and bugs are only used in advanced surveillance. They are the domain of skilled operators SURVEILLANCE 3 - TECHNICAL TRACKING DEVICES USING HARD AND SOFTWARE TRACKING TO GATHER INTELLIGENCE ISSUE 27 Whilst conventional physical surveillance is always the most accurate way of obtaining intelligence, technical devices can be deployed to support the surveillance. After all, a vehicle tracking device will tell us where a vehicle is, but may not tell us what the target is actually doing or who he is meeting. It can be costly in terms of manpower and finances to carry out a physical surveillance. A device planted on a vehicle will provide patterns of routines and identify areas visited over a period of time. This information can then be reviewed to build up an intelligence picture. Tracking a Very Aware and Sophisticated Target An ‘aware target’ will carry out counter-surveillance measures to discover whether he is being followed. By using tracking equipment, an operator need not but at a distance and totally out of sight of the target. What the Device Does Not Tell You Technical devices are prone to failure... SURVEILLANCE - FBI STYLE CONDUCTING SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS - HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THEM ISSUE 38 John F. Nason, heads the FBI’s Special Operation Group - Aviation and Surveillance Operations Section - Critical Response Group. In this feature he discusses many aspects of surveillance, and the sort of intelligence that can be gleaned. EXTRACT Unlike operating informants, however, conducting a surveillance requires using the team concept. The considerable resources required for a surveillance draw personnel away from other investigative functions, which can pose problems. Also, the potential exists for alerting the subject of the investigation to law enforcement’s interest, which conceivably could compromise the covertness of not only the surveillance but the entire case. Preparation and some fine-tuning at the onset can make the difference between having a productive surveillance and expending expensive resources and coming up empty-handed. Law enforcement agencies primarily use surveillance to develop both intelligence and evidence to further investigations by identifying subjects, their activities, and their associates, physically follow him at the outset (when he is more likely to be aware). He can be tracked using a device that a surveillance team can follow along with their residences, places of business, hang-outs, and other related locations. Surveillance also can identify potential PAGE sources, corroborate source information, provide security to undercover operatives, and gather data for site surveys. In addition, information obtained from surveillance can provide the probable cause for obtaining authorisation for other investigative techniques, such as search warrants and wiretaps. PLANNING AND PREPARATION Once investigators decide that surveillance is appropriate, their agency’s policy will determine what levels of authorisation are needed and how to allocate the necessary resources to the surveillance. Agencies should coordinate planned surveillances on a strict “needto-know” basis. At the onset, case managers, in conjunction with the physical surveillance, should consult technical services personnel to explore the feasibility of employing various measures, such as the use of video concealments, remote video, or tracking devices. Employing technical coverage or aircraft can function as force multipliers and enhance overall effectiveness, which can make the difference in obtaining productive results. Prior to initiating the surveillance, investigators should update subject information to ensure that they have the most current available. For example, a motor vehicle or utility check and tail source contacts can save a lot of wasted time by revealing that the intended subject recently relocated or sold a vehicle. All team members should receive pertinent details, easily contained on a pre-printed form, to include: • the case background; • the surveillance objective; • the subject’s caution statement (e.g., armed and dangerous or known to possess a firearm); • the subject’s previous experience with surveillance and whether the subject appears surveillance conscious; and • the subject’s personal data (e.g., all descriptive data with photo; criminal history; habits, such as martial arts practitioner or bodybuilder, and associates; the vehicles of the subject and associates; and the locations of residences, work, and hang-outs). TITLE: TRICKS OF THE TRADE THE WATCH TRICK ISSUE 40 Undertaking surveillance of a target, vehicle or location can be a time consuming business. It can also prove expensive. However, if an operation simply entails finding out what time a vehicle was driven away, then there is a very inexpensive method that is almost always successful - it’s called the ‘watch trick’. Besides being applied to covert surveillance, the trick can provide lots of interesting data. Managers can monitor the length of time a person attends a business meeting or the hours worked in a shift - just in case an employee starts to add a few hours to his time sheet. Suspicious spouses can discover just how long their partner has spent at a specific location. Undoubtedly readers can add to this list. To perform this ‘time old’ ‘off-site’ surveillance trick, you must first obtain a watch, scissors and tape [1]. There are few rules here, suffice to say the watch must use hands (old wind-up type) and be fully functioning before it is placed into position. This trick will not work with a digital quartz watch... DARK ARTS 4 - GHOST VEHICLES TRADE SECRETS OF VEHICLE SURVEILLANCE ISSUE 46 Despite what many people believe, following a vehicle is a precise art and one that cannot be learned overnight. If the driver of a target vehicle happens to be a criminal or worse - a terrorist, then the task is made even more dangerous, especially so if the surveillance is covert. There are numerous trade tips in this feature, including selection of vehicle, dress code, what to do in built-up areas, where to park, where not to park, communication skills, what to do if the target decides to journey on foot etc. EXTRACT: At some point in time in your driving career you will be asked by a friend, colleague or family member to “follow me.” Depending on a variety of factors your journey will be easy, fairly easy, moderate, difficult... or impossible. Imagine therefore trying to follow a car without being seen for several hours. Add to that you must conduct a running commentary, and at some stage you might be asked to follow on foot. Ultimately, some government officers may also have to interact with the person under surveillance. For the security services, tracking a car covertly is at best complex. It’s made particularly difficult if the driver or occupants in the target vehicle suspect they are under surveillance, or if the individual has colleagues performing anti-surveillance. The odds of an operation being compromised are lessened by correct vehicle selection, driving appropriately and communicating properly with colleagues. Some analysts believe it’s easier to track a car on an open road or motorway. Other surveillance officers think differently, and prefer to follow in built-up areas. The truth is, neither option is easy. Both scenarios can be affected by an array of situations. On a long motorway journey speed may be a factor; road traffic works can mean congestion and a slower pace. In an urban environment speeds are slower because of traffic lights, junctions, pedestrians, and increased traffic; the chance of losing sight of the vehicle increases dramatically if a surveillance driver loses concentration - even for a moment. This is one reason, but not the only one, why a professional surveillance operation will always involve several operatives and vehicles. At any point the suspect could stop and proceed on foot, thus vehicles will often carry more than one officer - just in case the surveillance has to be continued on foot. A second officer can provide commentary by radio, allowing the driver to focus on the road. He will deliver clear instructions calmly and without hesitation. Many surveillance vehicles now have the added bonus of satellite navigation systems, but professional operatives often avoid using these devices during an intense operation. But the biggest threat to any surveillance is if the same vehicle is noticed on multiple occasions. Thankfully, by driving correctly and choosing the “right car”, it’s possible to avoid detection. There are other lesser known factors which can ruin a vehicle surveillance. A chase car is equally as vulnerable when stationary or waiting for the target to depart. Not wearing a seat belt can attract attention. Parking on a yellow line (even briefly), may soon incur the wrath of a traffic warden. Sipping coffee or eating while at the wheel and in motion is distracting: in the UK, it’s also illegal and if seen, the car will be stopped. Using a cell phone by hand or trying to find directions.... © EYE SPY INTELLIGENCE MAGAZINE