Tennessee Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

What is an essential action during foot surveillance concerning your position relative to the subject?

1. Be directly in front of them

2. Stay several steps behind

3. Always remain out of sight

4. Keep something between yourself and the subject

The correct answer is: Keep something between yourself and the subject

The recommended approach during foot surveillance is to keep something between yourself and the subject. This tactic is vital for maintaining cover and reducing the likelihood of being detected. Utilizing barriers—such as vehicles, pedestrians, or landscaping—essentially obscures your presence, making it easier to observe the subject without drawing attention. While staying close behind or remaining out of sight are viable strategies to some extent, they don't provide the same level of concealment or security that placing an object between yourself and the subject offers. Being directly in front of the subject poses a high risk of being recognized, which most surveillants strive to avoid. Thus, the focus should be on strategic positioning that prioritizes stealth and observation, reinforcing the importance of having something act as a shield in surveillance operations.