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Domestic surveillance is the act of observing or monitoring someone who is under suspicion. This person could a wife, husband, boyfriend or girlfriend or even a child or employee. Following an individual, sometimes called “tailing them,” requires a number of different strategies. For example, sometimes an investigator can follow by car without any suspicion. Other times the investigator can tail by foot, motorcycle, even by bike. Sometimes mobile surveillance can be conducted with a GPS device. Other cases may involve investigating via phone and internet. It all depends on the case.

Is Surveillance Legal?

The law does not prohibit surveillance. There is no general right to privacy from observations in public or private. A private investigator sitting in a car outside a home watching others – and even video recording them – is not committing an offense. In fact, anyone may conduct surveillance, provided they do not charge for their services. Charging for private investigations requires a license. However, be warned: Recording of bedroom, bathroom, or clothes changing area is considered invasion of privacy and is illegal. You can find out about your person’s daily activity, places that he or she visits, who they interact with, what they do when not working, what they do in their spare time and the like.

Why Hire a PI for Surveillance?

Surveillance and covert video recording is often the only way to capture evidence of wrong doing such as cheating, stealing and insurance fraud. In today’s litigious, environment even eyewitness testimony can be deemed unreliable. Video evidence is often the best recourse to hold people responsible for their misdeeds against others.

What if I am Wrong?

If there is no wrong doing on the part of your “person of interest,” then you have gained peace of mind. It’s as simple as that. And if you are not wrong? A well-planned surveillance can save you time, money and aggravation. It’s good to know what you are dealing with before going to court, filing for divorce or taking other action. Surveillance will let you know what you are dealing with.

About the Author
Scott Prendergast is the Owner and Principal of Cornelius Investigations LLC, a Licensed and Bonded NYS Private Investigator Agency. His firm is licensed to conduct Investigations, provide Security Services and do Bail Bond Enforcement. Having worked at the NYPD for over 20 years Scott is skilled in a wide range of investigations.