The whole cinematic romance in police action films and spy thrillers is connected with the concept of personal investigation. In real life, surveillance, infiltration into the camp of the enemy and official secrets are called much more boring: operational-search activities, or the abbreviation ORM, famous in police circles. The composition of the ORM includes a lot of things, including a personal investigation. All this falls under the federal law with the same name: "On operational-search activity."
There is also good news: with secrecy, surveillance, secret infiltration into the criminal environment and other elements of the investigation, everything is in order, everything remains in force and, moreover, is listed and described in detail in the Federal Law on ORD (they love it so much designate their basic law operatives).
Concepts and definitions
Personal investigations include personal actions of employees who have the right to conduct operational-search activities. These actions are carried out to search for and detain people suspected of committing a crime who are hiding from the investigation. Wanted not only people, but also stolenproperty.
An important nuance: actions that fall under the concept of "personal investigation" are carried out only by the operative himself - personally. Hence the adjective "personal". In other words, not a "personal criminal", but a "personal detective".
Features of the work of a detective
Private investigation is by no means a one-time action. It is always a set of activities with a clear goal and a choice of actions that are most suitable for a particular situation. A successful investigation begins with a clear statement of the objectives and expected results of the investigation. Because the choice of search and surveillance technologies (and there are more and more of them due to technological progress) will depend on the specifics of the wanted and all the circumstances of a particular case.
Thus, covert surveillance or questioning of witnesses are only constituent elements of the investigation, combined with other methods of operational-search activities.
The set of methods and their sequence can be anything, everything is aimed at the success of the overall results.
Secrecy of the investigation
The detective acts differently: openly or behind the scenes, depending on the situation. He can search the area, observe objects, interrogate and make inquiries to identify the identity of the wanted suspect in different sequences and with varying degrees of confidentiality.
Moreover, the operational plan can be adjusted in the course of the investigation or investigation. Flexibility and high adaptability of search plans are also among the most important factors for a successful search.
Criminals and suspects tend not to advertise their criminal activities. Tricks to keep the preparation and commission of a crime secret sometimes turn into true masterpieces. It is clear that the methods of personal investigation should correspond to what it is aimed at. Crime professors should be caught by operational geniuses.
Search and surveillance
It all started with them, these are the main methods of personal investigation. After information about the commission of a crime, the classics of the genre begin: the study of circumstances, places, things and objects. This also includes interviews of eyewitnesses and much more - all for the search and detention of a suspect. The search is more of a method of the first stages of the investigation, the principle of personal investigation "in hot pursuit" works best here.
Surveillance, surveillance or the famous "outdoor" is always a hidden process. In order to become a master of outdoor, you need serious experience in disguise and theatrical skills. The main thing is not to give the subject of observation the slightest reason to notice that he is being observed. Operatives who deal exclusively with outdoors were called fillers. An experienced detective was highly valued always and everywhere, whether it was the tsarist secret police, the Bolshevik emergency commission or the foreign intelligence of the FSB.
Introduction into the criminal environment
A mole or an undiscovered agent has long been a favorite character in numerous thrillers. This is the most risky method of personal investigation, possible only with strong professional training. The agent must havethe most serious qualities: composure and the ability to make the right decisions in extreme situations.
Due to the special danger of this method for the agent, the preparation with the formation of the legend must be extremely thorough. Usually the agent does not work alone, he is assisted with communications and cover by specially assigned operatives.
The method is exceptionally high risk for the performer. But the information obtained in this way is unique. In this case, the results of a personal investigation is the full disclosure of criminal groups.
Detective methods in operational-search activities
A personal investigation is based on the methods listed in the law "On operational-search activity":
- questioning everyone who might have the information you need can be hidden;
- search for information and make inquiries in any source and in any format;
- search and collect different samples for comparison;
- surveillance in many forms, including covert video;
- technologies of test purchases and "mystery shopper";
- observation;
- exploring locations of any form, vehicles, structures, etc.;
The list of permitted operational search activities must be taken seriously and well versed in the listed methods. The fact is that the law "On Investigative Activities" includes certain restrictions on the conduct of certain types of ORM.
Investigations and civil liberties
For example, an investigator does not havethe right to control postal and other items through various communication channels. This can be done by a specialized unit of the operational-regime department (ORO). This kind of surveillance without informing citizens is an extremely sensitive issue in terms of civil liberties and constitutional law. This can be argued (which, in fact, is happening all over the world).
The best option would be a constructive discussion of the rights of citizens and the security needs of the same citizens. If you wish, you can always find a compromise solution according to the principle "both the wolves are fed and the sheep are safe." Well, if without jokes, then the increase in the degree of terrorist threat around the world makes citizens more and more loyal to secret detective activities.
Survey technologies
Poll is one of the most popular and informative methods of personal investigation. This is a conversation with citizens who, presumably, may have useful information for the investigation (or may not have it). The objectives of the survey need to be well understood in order to follow effective communication techniques. These are usually:
- detection or prevention of a crime;
- search for people in hiding, missing property and missing persons;
- clarification of the circumstances of cases related to the crime.
Survey can be done in different ways:
- Vowel direct questioning without any disguise or encryption of the purpose of the conversation. This is the most common way to find and communicate with eyewitnesses forobtaining operational information about the signs of criminals, stolen property, etc.
- Unspoken - is the best way if the witnesses are afraid or do not want to give the detectives the necessary information (most often this is the fear of revenge). In such a situation, the survey is conducted in a secret format in compliance with the rules of secrecy. There can be any solution here: an invitation to some meeting in a neutral place under any pretext. If the eyewitness does not want to become a witness and therefore does not want to sign the protocol or other document, the police officer must comply with this requirement. In this case, the information is transmitted to the management in the form of a report indicating the name of the confidential source.
Encrypted Poll
The third way to conduct a survey is the most difficult and exciting. This technology is used only in cases where the investigator does not fully trust the source of information.
Doubts may be about the accuracy of the information or the sincerity of the interviewee. The interlocutor can report a conversation with operatives to undesirable persons - those about whom the survey was conducted.
To encrypt the survey, you need to come up with a "legend" of the conversation with a real reason for the meeting. Anything, if only the person of interest to the detective did not guess about the true interests of the operative. Questions can be asked, but only indirect and not related to the main case.
Such polls are a real art, they require at least two things: experience and the most thorough preparation.
Features of the detective inSFSP
Personal investigation is an obligatory type of operational-search activities. And this applies not only to operational officers, but also to the police patrol service (PPSP).
We are talking about conducting a personal investigation while patrolling and being on duty. PPSP successfully participates in the search for criminals and suspects. They have special rules for this:
- Before the shift, check the route or post, clarify the features in relation to the operational situation, the location of neighboring detachments and detachments of people's squads and methods of communication with them, orientation.
- STS teams should be aware of who in the patrol area has been convicted and released from prison.
- Clarify and master the map of the area with streets, squares, lanes and passageways through courtyards.
- Pay special attention to potential breaches of order or crime, taking into account the season, weather or social tensions.
CV
Crime is becoming more sophisticated, varied and well-equipped technically. This means only one thing: the skill of the detective should be an order of magnitude higher.
Therefore, when choosing personal investigation tactics, it is necessary to carefully work out the exact focus on specific tasks facing the operatives "here and now." The expediency of the chosen methods of operational work with an objective assessment of real possibilities are essential elements of the preliminary preparation of a high-quality professional investigation.
Executionthe main tasks should be the main factor in determining the forces, means and methods of action of participants in operational-search activities.
New types of crime, including, for example, cybercrime, are leading to the formation of a new generation of operational units. But the fundamental principles of personal investigation remain unchanged. And no one canceled talent with diligence. Without them, the detective is nowhere.
