Surveillance Investigation And How It Aids Your Business

Surveillance investigation is the close observation of a person, place, or object for several important purposes. Contrary to popular belief, surveillance protects both businesses and employees by aiding in fraud prevention, crime investigations, preventing vandalism, and obtaining evidence for corporate crimes. When a crime is committed, it ensures that the guilty parties are held responsible for their actions and the innocent are not implicated simply by association.

Over the decades, through technological advancements, surveillance investigation has gone from discreet physical observation, to security cameras, audio recordings, electronic surveillance and digital investigation services. Ultimately no matter the type of surveillance involved, they all play an important role in the security and profitability of a company.

A catch-all term for different types of surveillance, visual surveillance refers to observing a subject either overtly via cameras to discourage criminal behaviours or covertly to investigate potential offences. Visual surveillance can be conducted either in stationary locations, or can be mobile in the case of vehicular surveillance.

Where employee theft is suspected, visual surveillance helps pinpoint suspects and retrieve stolen company property. Vandalism can also be caught via visual surveillance or discouraged entirely through open surveillance with CCTV cameras.

Other instances of corporate crimes such as worker’s compensation cases, or insurance fraud may also be looked into via visual surveillance conducted by licensed and experienced investigators.

Electronic surveillance has its roots in the middle of the 20th century with legal wiretapping, audio and video recordings. Electronic surveillance is used in cases where employees attempt to commit corporate fraud. The evidence gathered from electronic surveillance can aid in investigations into conflicts of interest, IP infringement, and many other types of crimes.

Electronic surveillance is best conducted by professionals who have the requisite training and expertise. They will also have access to the right equipment to carry out their tasks, and are able to conduct electronic surveillance discreetly and capably.

With much of our lives and our work revolving around the internet, it’s little surprise that digital surveillance is becoming more important to investigations. Referring to tracking and documenting someone’s online activities, digital surveillance is used to monitor emails, web activities, e-commerce purchases, social media habits and many more.

Digital surveillance can also be used to protect the company from liability arising from employee online behaviours. If an employee is using company devices to surf unsavoury websites or engage in anti-social behaviours, the company is entitled to take action against said employee; especially if such activities are illegal. Digital surveillance, also safeguards against employees who may be leaking company secrets to competitors, involved in unethical business practices, or attempting fraudulent activities such as insider trading.

Surveillance investigations are important for businesses to both prevent and investigate crimes. They ensure innocent employees are not unfairly accused of such activities and play an important role in gathering evidence against those who attempt to defraud their employers.

In search of a trusted investigation service in Singapore for your business? Contact us today for a non-obligatory discussion to find out more about our track record and how we can provide the services you require.