Serious Surveillance For The Private Investigator (Paperback)

~ Bob Bruno (Author) "At one time or another during your career as a Private Investigator, you may be called upon to do surveillance..." (more)
Key Phrases: serious surveillance, doing surveillance, surveillance vehicle, Serious Surevillance

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The most interesting - and lucrative - aspect of private investigations is surveillance. This manual teaches you the nuts and bolts of the craft: how to uncover information by tailing a subject and documenting his actions in photographs or videotape. Learn what it's like on the streets, as well as what equipment and tools you'll need for each job.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (May 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873646657
• ISBN-13: 978-0873646659
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #780,149 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Title Should Be, How To Equip A Surveillance Van..., January 22, 2003

By	Michael Beltz, FCI "truthsleuthpi" (Orlando, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

Please note that this review is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, an assessment of Mr. Bruno's skills in and/or knowledge of the private investigation profession. I personally consider Mr. Bruno to be one of the premier investigators in the nation, especially in the area of covert surveillance.

As a licensed private investigator, college instructor of private investigation courses, and an experienced covert surveillance operative, I can personally tell you that the title of this book is highly misleading. This book contains little information regarding actual covert surveillance techniques/procedures - certainly nothing worthy of the title. As always, be fully aware of what you are purchasing and you won't be disappointed.

Bruno's book is good for those investigators that have the time and resources to equip a van specifically for covert surveillance. I can personally tell you however that I, like most private investigators, perform the vast majority of my surveillance activities using my personal vehicle, which I have equipped accordingly. So if you are looking to equip a surveillance van, this book might be what you are looking for; other than that, I would advise against purchasing this title.

If you are looking for a title that actually contains useful (emphasis added) surveillance techniques/procedures, I would highly recommend: "Covert Surveillance: The Manual of Surveillance Training" by Peter Jenkins (ISBN: 0953537803). I have had the pleasure of reading this fine text, which I consider to be the only covert surveillance techniques/procedures book worth recommending. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a copy for purchase.

As always, check with your local library or bookstore to see if you can read/review this or any title before deciding to make a purchase. This method has effectively allowed me to make the most of my investigative library budget.

I hope you found this review helpful. [...]

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Reduculous "old man" tactics, October 21, 2002

By A Customer

This is a case of a simple minded man writing a simple, useless, and outdated book. How anyone can conduct surveillance (exclusively)out of a van is beyond me. I've been tracking people for 18 years and getting film of what they do. Life is just too fast moving to sit in a van. Investigators must be responsive on short notice; that means using a host of vehicles to suit whatever situation is at hand. Bob just sits in his van; worse yet, his cloned backup shows up in another van. Bob had a heat stroke from sitting in his van. Had to be rushed to the hospital. Give me a Toyota extended cab with a good AC, I'll use my wits to set up and run a smart surveillance; and be quick and fresh when its time to follow and film. If you can't follow then you can't film! Bob gives the following bad advise: he says: give the attorney the original film (Hey Bob, attorneys lose stuff!); he says: don't film the claimant if he changes his tire because everyone will think you flattened the tire (Hey Bob, film everything!); he says: when the claimant departs, just sit and wait for him to come back (Hey Bob, learn to follow and get the film wherever the claimant goes)I would fire someone for using Bob's static approach. Nothing worth spending money for here.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book on surveillance vehicles, September 11, 1999

By A Customer

In a large reference library, this book is one of the best when it comes to practical, nuts-and-bolts surveillance. On p. 62, Bruno writes, "On one ocassion, there was absolutely no place to do surveillance without looking out of place." Then he goes on to describe how they got the job done anyway - - a solution I have never seen anywhere else. BUY THE BOOK.