01/30/2023
I was asked to do a write-up for newly licensed private investigators who are still learning the ropes about surveillance and video. As seasoned veterans of long night surveillance already know, there is more to just chasing a target all day and night. You got to get the report and video to the client at some point. Here are some of my thoughts that may help a newbie looking for information on getting started with the whole video aspect of the job. This write-up is not intended for the veteran PI. But please share it with anyone you like. Have a blessed day, and be safe out there, folks.
Surveillance Notes and Video
During a typical surveillance day, investigators can produce large amounts of handwritten notes and video. Some investigators like to add an electronic dictation device, especially if they must capture multiple license plates during a single drive-by at a location. A digital voice recorder is a great tool for those moments or during active and mobile surveillance, which may produce a copious amount of relevant information when using a notepad and pen may not be prudent.
Times and Timestamps
One of the biggest setbacks and time wasters for investigators is when the investigator relies on multiple time sources, and all of them show a different time. For instance, the time indicated could be wildly different if the investigator used the video time stamp, his vehicle’s dash clock, his cell phone clock, and the time stamp on his dash cam. I suggest that an investigator check all the clocks at his disposal and ensure the time stamp on the video devices matches that of his cell phone because the mobile phone transmitters are synced to a high-accuracy clock. Then, changing the vehicle onboard clock will ensure the investigators’ times are not off. The same should be pointed out for those who operate in states where daylight saving is observed.
Transfer of Written Notes to Report Format
Regardless of the investigator’s choice in notetaking, these notes will ultimately have to be transferred onto either a short timeline report or an official surveillance report. As a time-saving measure, the investigator may use his cell phone to dictate an email to themselves, which will create the body of the report. I use this feature all the time, saving me about 80% of the time it takes to create a report compared to typing out the entire report. Obviously, it is incumbent upon the investigator to fix words and numbers the phone failed to transcribe properly. Using the original notes, the investigator compares his report with the handwritten notes they previously took during surveillance. I consider myself a good writer but found, at times, I’m a bit wordy. To combat this and to ensure my grammar and punctuation are correct, I subscribe to Grammarly (https://app.grammarly.com). This is a great asset for professionals who write many weekly reports, and I highly recommend it to anyone.
Video Recording
Most clients consider good video footage to be the result of good surveillance. That, of course, is not always the case. Still, it is important for investigators to hone their skills as competent technicians with the technology they deploy throughout each investigation. It is useless to own a $1500 high-resolution digital camera when the operator does not even possess the most rudimentary video-taking skills, thus making this amazing piece of technology virtually useless in their hands. For the new PI, I suggest a camcorder and monopod for under $200. There are great models out there that get the job done well, and it does not have to be an expensive endeavor. The monopod will stabilize the camcorder during recording. It is the best tool I ever bought for under $20. Purchasing a quick release for under $15 will allow the PI to connect the camcorder to the monopod in seconds and remove it when the surveillance demands it. Taking good videos is an art that can only be acquired by repetitive use of an investigator’s equipment. For instance, most beginners spend too much time zooming in and out on a target. Considering the audience, it would make sense that using zoom repeatedly is not advised. When someone considers the average movie or TV show, it becomes obvious the zoom function is used seldom in their shows, and when used, it is done very slowly to prevent the viewer from feeling ill. My advice to P*s is to zoom in at the beginning of a shot for identification, then zoom out to capture the entire surroundings of the subject. Also, it is easier to keep a camcorder steady when the zoom is not all the way applied. The investigator should try to stay in the optical zoom mode if possible. In short, optical zoom allows the PI to bring the object close before it is captured. With digital zoom, the camera uses a part of the image and sizes it later. That's why the risk of losing image quality is greater with digital zoom. The investigator can compare it to seeing pixels when you magnify a small image. Also, most camcorders stop shortly before transitioning into digital zoom, which may help the PI differentiate between optical and digital zoom.
Transferring Video Data from Different Video Recording Sources
There are many ways to download the video onto a computer for processing, safekeeping, or storage. One method is removing the storage device, usually an SD memory card, and inserting it into a computer. Many recording devices also offer a USB receptacle that allows direct data transfer. Some devices can transfer data via Wi-Fi. It is usually the fastest to pull the memory card and install it onto the computer, especially if the file is very large. Once the data has been downloaded, it needs to be preserved. I usually create a file folder for each case I work on. Inside the case folder, I have a subfolder named videos. Inside the video folder, I create a folder for each surveillance I have performed under this case number. I use a simple file name indicating the day I took the video. For instance, if I recorded the data on January 26, 2022, I would use the month, day, and year as the file name, including a V for video, such as 012622V. This filename will never be duplicated because this date will never occur again. Because there is usually a corresponding report, I do the same for reports, but I place an “R” behind to indicate it is a report, such as 012622R.
If the investigator is told to send the electronic data to a client or coworker, it will most likely not work as a plain attachment to an email. The electronic files our camcorders create are considered very large and difficult to attach. Other third-party vendors are available to transfer the files for the PI. The most common ones used are Dropbox, OneDrive, and DropSend. But many others exist. I recommend sticking with what most of the industry uses to prevent confusion. Additionally, the investigator must ensure their video format is supported by those they plan to share it with. Communicate with the recipient of the data of what they are using. It is a great time waster for the PI and client to resubmit the video again and again because the file format is incompatible. Oftentimes, the PI can change the recording format on their video device. I currently like to use MP4 for most of my videos. Most people are happy with this format.
Editing Video Footage
Nearly all clients request the investigator to edit the video and only turn over the most relevant video footage. There are several reasons why. If during discovery, the client must make the video available to the opposing side, a long video may have information the other side might be able to use against the client. Additionally, people are busy and may not enjoy long, uninteresting, or irrelevant videos. With this said, I don’t advocate removing the pertinent video footage to “shape the case.” Check with your client/attorney to see what is important to the case and what can be cut. Just use discretion while editing the video. The best video editing tool I have found for P*s is the Investigation Video Editor (https://www.investigationve.com). It will allow the investigator to import multiple different video sources, such as camcorder and dashcam video, and allow it to be synced and edited. One attractive feature is the price. It is very inexpensive. Further, it allows the user to remove all sound from the video to ensure no sensitive audio was inadvertently released. Many P*s take phone calls from other potential clients or attorneys using hands-free in-car devices while recording with a dashcam or camcorder, which may record privileged information. My company makes it a rule to turn over voiceless video unless the audio is relevant to the case. I never had a single complaint about this.
This short intro will help the newly minted P*s in our business get a little insight into video and surveillance matters. At your convenience, please visit my website at www.prangenberginvestigations.com. Please don't hesitate to call us if you need help in the Ventura or Santa Barbara, California area.
