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HOW TO DETECT SURVEILLANCE AND SHADOWING. PART II. COUNTERSURVEILLANCE.

(continued from PART I)

For effective and covert detection of shadowing countersurveillance technique is often used. Countersurveillance is observation of "tails", shadowing the target, by onlookers, placed at temporary points along the route. The fact is that detectives, shadowing the subject, will most likely look quite natural in the eyes of the subject. But for detached onlookers their activity may be rather inadequate. For example, their attempts to disappear from the eyes of the subject when he turns back can be imperceptible for the subject, but near-by people, who know whereat to focus their attention, will spot them. Therefore countersurveillance enables to reveal the fact of shadowing, determine its performers, and possibly, the sponsor. The data obtained as a result of countersurveillance will help to determine the place and time of the planned assault.

Countersurveillance begins with drawing up a plan by both, the subject (or his associates) and operatives (or convoy), who will perform the task. The route is mapped out. It should lie through places "inconvenient" for shadowing surveillants. A number of requirements must be observed:

  • All maneuvers should be motivated and justified. The route should not be unusual for the enemy not to suspect, that somebody tries to discover shadowing.
  • There should be two or three places on the route, the use of which would make detection of shadowing highly probable.
  • The route of the subject is mapped out in such a way that the countersurveillance team would have enough time to move from one observation point (post) to another and to settle down at the new place without attracting attention of police and people around. As the team members do not (and cannot) know whom they will discover, the same operatives should move from one observation point to another to identify "familiar" faces.
  • The route should be long and complex enough since it is practically impossible to detect shadowing if the route section is short. Experts recommend to spend 1-2 hours on shadowing detection.

Countersurveillance is carried out from preselected observation posts (points). Standard posts of countersurveillance are:

  • Passages between two streets, short and narrow lanes, streets and sidewalks with small amount of traffic.
  • Double-exit courtyards with offices, cafes, drugstores or shops inside.
  • Shops or buildings with large windows through which the street is well visible from the inside.
  • Parking lots.   
  • Metro stations.
  • Stairs and the escalators leading to the side, from where the subject is coming.
  • Tourist sights where one can turn around and take photos, etc.

All observation posts should be appropriately concealed and motivated. Observers should take their positions 30-40 minutes prior to the subject passage and leave them after the subject leaves the control point. The countersurveillance team should not make mistakes mentioned in PART I.. They should not read, snack or sit idly in the vehicle so that somebody will see that from the outside. It is better to leave the car for some time.

The most expedient technique is based on dispersing the surveillants, scattering their forces, creating visibility of losing the subject and provoking them to search actions that are not typical for ordinary passers-by. For example, the subject comes into a court yard with several exits and with a cafe, a drugstore or a shop inside. A surveillant tailing the subject (always only one) might lose him for some seconds and the subject, taking the advantage, quickly enters one of the above mentioned premises. The duality of situation and lack of time will force the "tail" to become nervous, to fuss and rush about the court yard looking around and communicating by radio with his colleagues (they will control other exits from the court yard). This is quite enough for the onlookers to detect shadowing. It is important, that the subject should not undertake checking actions which was not coordinated with his associates beforehand.

Other variants are also possible. The subject can make a motivated U-shaped turn in the preplanned place. It is also possible to rush to a coming bus and then stop "disappointedly" - "it is not the route the subject needs". The surveillant will also have to run, and it will not remain unnoticed.

In the process of countersurveillance all discrepancies in appearance and behavior of people and vehicles in the area of visual control, as well as sings of surveillance from adjacent buildings, should be fixed. The facts listed below should cause suspicion:

  • Vehicles on parking lots with people inside.
  • Vehicles which stop or start moving simultaneously with the subject, especially those which follow behind or pass the subject and then park near by.
  • Any vehicle with the antenna, that differs from a standard one.
  • A vehicle, that signalled a turn but then did not make it.
  • Any vehicle that makes a turn after the subject.
  • Too fast or too slow vehicles.
  • Any vehicle that goes around the block before or after the subject stops.
  • Vehicles, signaling to each other by blinking headlights.
  • A vehicle keeping the same distance between itself and the subject regardless of speed.
  • Vehicles going along parallel streets with little traffic at the same speed.
  • Vehicles, which slow down and try to hide behind other automobiles when the subject brakes.
  • Any vehicle, noted two or more times in different periods of countersurveillance operation.
  • Any vehicle which follows the subject after he makes a U-shaped turn or turns a corner.
  • Any vehicle tailing the subject through a traffic circle. 
  • A vehicle driving across a red light.

For shadowing on foot suspicious objects are:

  • Any person communicating by radio.
  • Everyone who turns away to avoid face-to-face contact with the subject.
  • Anyone who shows hesitation and/or looks around before entering a building after the subject.
  • Everyone who crosses the street when the subject turns and goes back.
  • People, whoes clothes do not correspond to the circumstances.
  • Everyone who goes running.
  • The one who enters or leaves a shop, restaurant, etc. after the subject.
  • The one who tries to sit behind the subject or where he can see the subject easily in a restaurant.
  • Anyone who starts to move or stops simultaneously with the subject.
  • Everyone who leaves a vehicle simultaneously with the subject.

At first it is enough to note only one detail which will be necessary to confirm future observations. For example, thick, lean, tall or lame person. It is recommended to note and memorize clothes, footwear or other attributes of the detected surveillants.

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