Observation & Surveillance

Specialists in Covert Observation

Since 1977, Research Associates has provided covert surveillance and observation to the private sector. Whatever the presenting situation, we provide appropriate and unobtrusive surveillance professionals, equipped to fully document any task, often at very short notice. We manage each case with diligence and focus, listening and responding to the specific needs of the situation, enabling clients’ objectives to take precedence and be fully satisfied. Potential clients can expect a discreet and professional service at cost-effective rates. We promise to satisfy and manage expectations. Four decades of experience allow us to offer a well-rounded service, whatever the presenting situation.

Research Associates has decades of experience serving executives’, entrepreneurs’, businesses’, public sector organisations’ and private individuals’ observation requirements. We offer a wealth of industry knowledge and experience and provide an unrivalled level of customer service.

• Dedicated observation/surveillance services using only expert operatives
• Static and mobile observation utilising both state-of-the-art and established techniques
• Back-up intelligence specialising in legal ‘open-source intelligence’ research
• Complete worldwide and local coverage
• Exclusive 24-48 hour fast-response service
• Excellent standards of practice
• Structured evidence reports
• A dedicated Project Manager throughout

Specialised Covert Surveillance Team Operatives

Research Associates observation team members are comprised of male and female operatives of different ages and varied cultural backgrounds to best blend in. However, they all share a simple distinction; they are all dedicated surveillance professionals, and observation/surveillance is their only professional focus.

Research Associates’ surveillance operatives have all been subject to our extensive screening process. Furthermore, we believe it is essential that only specifically trained personnel, rather than general investigators or other third parties, conduct professional surveillance and observation, and teams are hand-picked to address specific tasks, whether for corporate surveillance or a private matter.

In addition, we have the policy to ensure that operatives are assigned to only one task on any given day; this ensures that observation tasks are manned only by fresh and fully alert operatives. All observation teams deploy an array of covert surveillance vehicles, including cars, observation vans, motorcycles and licensed taxis, depending on the specific requirements of the task.

How We Report

Research Associates’ observation/surveillance reports (and logs) are very focused, detailed and professional. As well as reporting to you in person, initially by telephone, our formal report will document the presenting situation and demonstrate that we have undertaken an ‘impact assessment’, which shows consideration for the legality of the observation/surveillance task. Our report then documents the outlined results of the observation in the form of a summary. The report then has a separate Observation Log which objectively demonstrates the following: the date, time, place, and what has been observed. This section of the report is typically supported by date- and time-stamped media evidence, gathered covertly, where doing so does not compromise the observation. Our reports are designed to allow the reader to clearly understand both the presenting situation and the resulting evidence, whether the reader be a court in the UK or any other jurisdiction, a family member, or any other authorised third party.

Preparation

Research Associates places great emphasis on preparation for an observation task, which best leads to obtaining the required result. We believe this is best accomplished through close client liaison. We work on the premise that a client typically has healthy insight into the subject of enquiry, often based on subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) changes in behaviour and more confidential intelligence. This information will unquestionably assist with establishing accurate briefing and instructions, which leads us to provide successful results.

Experience

Research Associates has a long history of fulfilling requests to observe and document cheating spouses or partners, as well as looking at insurance frauds, compensation claims, stolen property, personal injury, employee thefts, counterfeit goods, general frauds, or trade espionage. The best way to obtain and document facts is to use professional operatives to produce detailed, court-admissible reports based on contemporaneously written logs supported by irrefutable video and photographic evidence.

As well as having extensive professional experience, our surveillance teams constantly re-train in the use of the most up-to-date covert surveillance systems. Depending on the task, we employ a wide range of technologically advanced body-worn and vehicle-mounted surveillance equipment, including 35mm and digital cameras, miniature covert body-worn audio-visual and digital devices, audio transmitters, image-intensifier equipment and near undetectable high-definition digital and video cameras.

Private Observation & Surveillance

Research Associates defines ‘private surveillance’, whether for personal, private or corporate reasons, as the covert observation, monitoring and documenting of individuals’ behaviour and activities. Surveillance is undoubtedly the most focused and hands-on approach to investigation. However, to ensure that your requirements are fully satisfied, it is imperative to discuss requirements with an experienced investigator before instruction, especially when instructing via solicitors/lawyers or other third parties. So call our office in confidence now.

Surveillance Categories

• Dedicated rapid-response Corporate Surveillance Teams.
• Observation/Surveillance to determine whether a partner is being unfaithful or to confirm or disprove adultery or any other inappropriate behaviours.
• Surveillance of individuals to establish insurance or disability frauds.
• Observation of places of work, including offices, warehouses, construction sites, production locations and other accessible areas.
• Surveillance of individuals for matrimonial or domestic litigation or investigations into residential cohabitation, asset investigations, or other domestic or marital matters.
• Observation of residential premises, apartments, garages, boats or aircraft.
• Rural covert observation.
• Undercover surveillance.

Custom Designed Tracking Devices

Research Associates also supply the most sophisticated bespoke tracking devices, including trackers built into handmade accessories and footwear. These sophisticated items are available with added features such as panic buttons. In addition, we supply easy-to-digest interactive reports which clearly show the tracker’s movements in real-time, including all relative data such as direction, speed and other relevant criteria. We also offer virtually ‘live’ internet tracking, allowing clients to see precisely where their tracker is on a ‘live’ map (updated regularly, up to every five seconds).

We are confident that our range of tracking devices cannot be bettered and will satisfy the most demanding of situations and strongly suggest you contact us directly to discuss your requirement:

Note: * Prior to instruction, Research Associates requests clients formally notify us if our report is likely to be reproduced in support of any current or future court case in any UK or overseas jurisdiction. This request is based on the need to fully appreciate and understand the legal requirements for admissible reports in any given jurisdiction, including the UK. If this is not formally communicated before instruction, the contents of our report are not for open reproduction and may not be exhibited in an affidavit. If in doubt, please ask our knowledgeable investigators.