Surveillance Experts




Here's a look at what we do to obtain what you need.

Surveillance, especially mobile surveillance, is among the most challenging and dangerous types of investigative assignments.

Whether conducted in crowded city traffic, or rural single-lane roads, in a neighborhood with curious and alert neighbors, or an urban environment where a supposedly empty surveillance vehicle is a street criminal's target, regardless of weather, while maintaining vigilance during countless hours staring at the same driveway, each environment and subject will present unique challenges -and opportunities- for success.

In order to produce successful results, we must overcome these and other challenges.

Sound Tradecraft
There are standard industry-accepted techniques developed by the intelligence and security communities we have adapted to suit our unique operational environments here in the Puget Sound. These elements include:

Careful Planning
Planning a surveillance includes close client consultation, a professional assessment of the Subjects, evaluating the target environment, and determining the level of proof required to meet the standard of the case. Assembled and evaluated, this information lets us assess the staff needed to impose surveillance (not merely "try to follow ") and to select the equipment required to fit the conditions.

Time and Budget
We believe that it serves no purpose and is unprofessional to under-staff an assignment, schedule insufficient hours, or attempt to place agents in a location where they will be compromised immediately. As reputable professionals, we will recommend what is needed to successfully complete your assignment.

As an example, Washington State Patrol and Federal Agencies typically use between four and twelve agents ON EACH SUBJECT depending on the situation and agency policies. In the private investigations field, it has become an unfortunate standard practice to use a single agent no matter the requirements. If the WSP use four, how can anyone be expected to do a competent job with one?
Unless we are dealing with a stationary (static) surveillance where one surveillance agent is usually sufficient, staffing a mobile surveillance job with a single agent when multiple agents are required imposes a tactical disadvantage that only serves to enable an insufficient budget.
With insufficient staff, chances of exposure and subject loss are dramatically increased, and chances of success significantly decreased.

We could agree with budget-driven clients that one agent will do, when we know full well that it won't in order to secure a job. Could, yes, but will not advise against your best interests.
The truth is that the agency doesn't make any more when utilizing five agents than it does with one. Adequate staffing is done for the sole benefit of our clients in order to ensure the highest chance of success.
Another consideration regarding time: Is there enough time to adequately plan, schedule, and execute the job before the evidence is due in court?

Basic Mobile Techniques
In jobs where following subjects is requested, we use at minimum two agents. All agents are equipped with UHF radios and Bluetooth cell devices.
One agent is staged either watching the location where the subject is "housed" or close to that location in a spot where the subject has to pass to go anywhere. This is the "eye" or "trigger".
The second agent is typically placed out of the subject's view and is able to be ready in what we call the "wait and follow" mode. That means in the drivers' seat and ready to start the engine and pick up the subject when they come into view.
A third agent, also in "wait and follow" may be required if coverage can't be imposed by the second agent alone due to road or other considerations. We have to impose surveillance on a subject, not simply set up and hope to cover every direction they can go. The advantages to this are several:

1.) The subject is not being immediately followed by the vehicle they passed or saw parked near their location,
2.) It's impossible to sit in the front seats of a vehicle within view of anyone for hours at a time without compromise.
3.) Several agents will rotate out of the front position on a mobile tail so it's not the same vehicle following the subject mile after mile, turn after turn.
4.) With more than one agent, there are more cameras running from different points of view. In an L&I claim, the advantages here are readily apparent.

Equipment
Whether a vehicle will fit into a neighborhood is a serious consideration. We select vehicles chosen to blend; if a neighborhood is stocked with new upscale SUV's, we'll use those.
A red Prius would not be used in remote counties in a working-class neighborhood, but they are right at home on Bainbridge Island.
A new vehicle might stand out like a sore thumb in a small town like Raymond, so we'll select an older one.
Does a location require IR cameras? Is there no place for a live agent to be, but a motion-activated one can be installed? Is a 600mm lens needed? We adapt our gear to suit the requirements of the environment.

Legal Aspects
Unlicensed, untrained people performing investigative work lack the necessary expertise to accomplish the job, and also have no legal defense to protect them from a stalking charge. Remember that illegally obtained evidence is not admissible in court and is, therefore, a waste of time, resources and, most importantly, opportunity.
If a novice-attempted surveillance is compromised (we call it being made), then hope of a candid surveillance by professionals is gone.
The subject begins to suspect that EVERY vehicle is "on" him.

On the other hand, Licensed investigators, and therefore our clients, are legally protected. Our work product is legally obtained, safe from stalking charges and is admissible in court. Professionally authored DVD's and computer-ready video for download is standard.
Liston and associates will provide you with a no-obligation, cost-free comprehensive evaluative workup and action plan based on your requirements and the subject's profile.

Call 253-212-0544 to become a client.