Surveillance and UndercoverSurveillance
Surveillance is an art form. The skill required to conduct successful surveillance comes from experience which derives from patience and training. There are no short cuts.
Artus Group surveillance investigators have the experience to consistently deliver quantifiable results.
Success in the field requires thorough documentation and excellent photographic evidence. Artus Group investigators are well equipped with video cameras, mobile stabilizers, hidden body cameras, a selection of vehicles to alternate appearance and the ability to blend in to any background.
Final video of the subject’s activity is edited onto VHS videotape or CD and is supported by a high level report of investigation, which will withstand the scrutiny of any court. Our clients rely on the quality of our video and our reports, which consistently provide the evidence desired.
There are some realities to consider: even the best surveillance investigators lose contact with their subject and sometimes often. It is always better to return another day than risk compromising the investigation by being overly aggressive.
Two-vehicle surveillance is always strongly recommended - two investigators working together consistently maintain better subject coverage and often obtain significantly better results as they trade off and support each other.
The Artus Group prepares thoroughly for each case and, if appropriate, will conduct due diligence and activity checks on each subject prior to conducting surveillance. The information in our client’s file is sometimes outdated and a thorough pre-surveillance investigation can be invaluable in obtaining quality results.
Undercover Operations
Sometimes the most valuable intelligence information can only be obtained by going undercover. Artus Group investigators conduct long and short term commercial and retail undercover assignments to provide the information our clients need to run their businesses safely and profitably.
An undercover operative is trained to blend in with the workforce and may work from three to twelve months at a facility, depending on the information developed. He or she gradually becomes accepted by their fellow workers and in time gains their trust.
Over time, the agent looks for and reports on drug activity and drug sales, theft rings, acts of violence, intimidation, sabotage, grazing, abusive management, discrimination and sexual harassment to name just a few issues existing in the workplace.
Artus Group undercover investigators report on violations of policy and procedure and are available to meet with our clients for regular debriefings. Their field reports are edited by Artus Group management into a weekly interim report submitted confidentially to our client’s residential or private address.
Our clients determine how long each assignment lasts, but from experience in managing over one hundred commercial and retail undercover assignments, each assignment by agreement should be conducted over a minimum of ninety days. It takes time for an outsider to be accepted within the core groups, especially if there is a ring of fraudulent activity. Patience is critical in developing undercover information.
Please call us to discuss undercover assignments in more detail. It may be prudent to proceed with a long term undercover or there may be other alternatives such as regular mystery shopping assignments which provide more basic surface observations of service, procedures and employee activity.
Surveillance and Undercover