Home » Insights » Surveillance Process

Inside the Surveillance Process: How NBI Conducts Effective Investigations

Surveillance is one of the most powerful tools in the investigative process. When conducted professionally, it can uncover hidden behaviors, document fraud, verify claims, and provide critical evidence in both civil and criminal cases. At National Business Investigations (NBI), surveillance is not just about watching-it's about gathering truth with precision, legality, and discretion.

What Is Surveillance in Private Investigations?

Surveillance is the close observation of a subject or location to gather information without detection. It's commonly used in cases involving:

NBI approaches surveillance with a strategic, detail-oriented mindset to ensure clients get results that hold up in court and decision-making processes.

NBI's Surveillance Tactics and Process

  1. Pre-Surveillance Preparation
    Before any observation begins, we gather detailed intelligence on the subject-vehicle information, routines, addresses, and known associates-to create a tactical surveillance plan.
  2. Static & Mobile Surveillance
    Our agents are trained in both stationary and mobile surveillance, using unmarked vehicles, covert equipment, and specialized techniques to stay undetected in any environment.
  3. Use of Technology
    NBI incorporates high-definition video equipment, GPS trackers (when legally permissible), and encrypted communication tools to document activities in real-time with clarity and reliability.
  4. Legal Compliance
    Every NBI surveillance operation is conducted in full compliance with state and federal laws. We never cross legal or ethical boundaries, ensuring all evidence is admissible.
  5. Detailed Reporting & Video Evidence
    After the surveillance period, clients receive a comprehensive report complete with timestamped photos, video footage, investigator logs, and expert insights.
  6. Discretion and Professionalism
    Our agents are not only skilled in observation-they are trained to blend into any environment without drawing suspicion, protecting both the integrity of the investigation and the client's privacy.

Why Partner with NBI?


If you suspect something's off, don't guess-know.
Surveillance by NBI provides the proof you need to make informed decisions with confidence.

Click here to request a confidential consultation today.


About the Author

Michael D. Julian is President of MPS Security & Protection and a 30-plus-year veteran of the security and investigations industry. He served as President of the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) from 2005 to 2015 and has led executive protection, residential security, and corporate investigations engagements for Fortune 500 principals, high-net-worth families, and public figures across the United States. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn.

Every investigation starts with a commitment…
and ends with a guarantee.

Having been in business for decades, we know there are many investigation companies you can call on. One does not thrive for over fifty years in this industry without a foundation of honesty, integrity, and professionalism.

We can never promise results—but we always guarantee our performance. If you are not happy with our performance, you only pay what you believe our investigation is worth.

Professional Affiliations

Reviews

Read Reviews

“Perfect service and communication! Exceeded expectations in every way. Highly recommend!!”

— Client Review

“Very professional, great customer service. I would use them again.”

— Client Review

“Outstanding service. Professional and diligent.”

— Client Review

We’re ready to work with you. Are you ready?

Contact us to get started and find out why clients choose NBI for high-accountability investigative support.

Recent NBI Insights



Child Custody and Family Law Investigations: How Licensed Investigators Build Admissible Evidence

Child Custody and Family Law Investigations: How Licensed Investigators Build Admissible Evidence

How licensed private investigators support family law and child custody cases: what they can lawfully gather, how evidence is made admissible, and whe…

By: Michael D. Julian

Elder Financial Exploitation Investigations: How Families, Trustees, and Probate Attorneys Build a Recovery Record

Elder Financial Exploitation Investigations: How Families, Trustees, and Probate Attorneys Build a Recovery Record

How professional investigators document elder financial exploitation - undue influence, caregiver theft, fraudulent transfers, and exploitative powers…

By: Michael D. Julian

Trade Secret and IP Theft Investigations: How Companies Build a Defensible Forensic Record Before Litigation

Trade Secret and IP Theft Investigations: How Companies Build a Defensible Forensic Record Before Litigation

How companies and their attorneys investigate suspected trade secret and IP theft, preserve a forensic record, and build defensible evidence before fi…

By: Michael D. Julian

Skip Tracing Services: How Professional Investigators Locate Hard-to-Find Subjects for Civil, Criminal, and Family-Law Cases

Skip Tracing Services: How Professional Investigators Locate Hard-to-Find Subjects for Civil, Criminal, and Family-Law Cases

How licensed private investigators use skip tracing to locate defendants, debtors, witnesses, missing heirs, and process-service subjects when traditi…

By: Michael D. Julian