What is considered "surveillance" in the context of private investigations?

Surveillance, within the realm of private investigations, is specifically defined as the act of closely observing a person or location. This process can involve various techniques such as physical monitoring, using technology (like cameras or GPS trackers), and other methods to gather information about the subject's activities, behaviors, and interactions. The goal of surveillance is to collect real-time evidence that can reveal pertinent information relevant to a case, whether it's surveillance of a suspected individual, a location, or an event.

The nuances of surveillance allow investigators to gain insights that other methods, such as formal interviews or document collection, may not provide. Unlike interviews or the gathering of public records, which rely on information shared by the subject or that is openly accessible, surveillance allows for an unobtrusive method of data collection that can yield critical evidence without directly engaging the subject at hand. This makes it a fundamental practice in the toolkit of private investigators.