The private investigator who decides to become a surveillance expert must commit to becoming an alchemist; an alchemist is someone who transforms something common into something special. A surveillance professional is able to combine the art and science of surveillance as needed to achieve the desired objective. This is a constantly changing requirement of the surveillance operative performing his/her function out in the field and being effective in that capacity. The art compasses the intangible elements of surveillance, intuition, street savvy, cleverness, etc. The science compasses the right surveillance vehicle for the demographic location, applicable surveillance equipment for capturing the desired video/photos for the case requirement and utilizing technology for navigational and transmittal of data purposes, etc. The effective surveillance operation requires a high degree of precision in preparation, scheduling and conducting it; plus a certain amount of luck. However, like most activities a high degree of competency is achieved only through dedicating considerable time to learning and doing the associated tasks. Surveillance requires discipline, patience and persistence as well to increase the success rate of capturing information possibly deemed incriminating against the subject watched. This information has the potential of highlighting activities that might substantiate claims or refute and document innocuous activities.

Surveillance is not a glamorous activity conducted by private investigators. It may require long durations in a stationary position or following the subject of the surveillance for a comparable long time. This requires tremendous discipline and patience to be vigilant when there is no observable activity. However, if the surveillance investigator looses focus that is usually the time something worthy of video or photographic documentation occurs. It takes a special individual to be effective in this capacity; the occupation usually can be a solitary one for hours depending on the nature of the case. Ingenuity is required to remain alert in a scenario prone to boredom and then the adrenaline rush when noteworthy documentable activity occurs.

One of the most essential objectives during surveillance is not getting caught which compromises the mission. Once this happens it is very difficult to reestablish a covert posture without being detected again. If there are indications that the surveillance is becoming susceptible to compromise it is always advisable to termination the activity and resume when things return to normal. Maintaining the integrity of the investigation and being intuitive to determine when to use loose surveillance if needed will provide more options and flexibility in conducting the operation. These decisions sometimes have to be made instantaneously during the course of the surveillance. It is a constant assessment and reassessment real time to be effective in the capacity of a surveillance private investigator.

The value of surveillance to an investigation cannot be overstated. When used for the right reasons under the right circumstances it has the capacity to gather information inaccessible any other way. Its documentation is substantial and not easily refuted especially if the captured representations are incriminating, supported with time and date video stamp and collaborated with an investigative report. Herein the integrity and professionalism of the surveillance investigator is paramount to substantiate its content and purpose. Surveillance is a private investigative service that is always in high demand and consequently offered by a substantial amount of private investigators. The usually private citizen requests surveillance to find out if their mate is being unfaithful. Attorneys, Corporations and Insurance Companies can request surveillance services to address the development of client representation, espionage or fraud, etc. The scenarios for its application are varied as the clients that request the service and the market requesting it is healthy.