Serious Surveillance For The Private Investigator

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Summary: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY FORMER UNDERCOVER OFFICER
Review: After reading this short,but comprehensive, book I realised that this is the closest thing I have read to what surveillance is all about. I have had many years experience in law enforcement and this book reflects how it actually is. The methods outlined in this book are still used by Police teams in the year 2000. Congratulations to Bob Bruno for a great manual. Only problem is that it is to short (84 pages)

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Summary: Reduculous "old man" tactics
Review: After retiring from the Law Enforcement area I decided to go to work in the area I thought I knew best. I wanted to be a P.I. and learned that surveillance in the insurance industry is where the money is. I looked for literature, books and even spoke with what investigators would talk to me. Most were not happy to reveal what secrets they knew of. I got on the web and looked a little further and found Bruno's book. THIS was the only thing on the market concerning a technical manual regarding the area I was looking for. I did obtain a copy of Ralph Thomas's book on surveillance but it covered a WIDE range of areas that did not concern me. When I first read Bruno's book, I found it to be easy reading, but VERY informative since in law enforcement they do not teach us how to outfit a vehicle, much less what type of vehile to use or how to get into positon. In fact, while commissioned we used Chevrolet Corsicas to do surveillance with. While the information was good for 1992, I believe all of us in this business or trying to get into this business will agree, the methods and technology have changed considerably. I also understand that the publisher is about to get a new manuscript from Bruno on today and tommorrow's technology. I will buy that book for my library as I have this one. This is a good book for even a police officer who chased tail lights for 22.5 years! Buy the book! If you read the review from the Surveillance Guru and then read zkbeckers, one would wonder what becker had in mind. Looking at his cyber technology and the books on his wish list indicated to me he was interested in buying books on other than surveillance. My money's on Bruno. IF Becker has a better book on surveillance, I'll buy that too! Wherever I can get information, it can only help me. Bruno, I look forward to your new book!

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Summary: Title Should Be, "How To Equip A Surveillance Van."
Review: As a licensed private investigator and experienced covert surveillance operative, I can personally tell you that the title of this book is highly misleading. This book contains little information regarding actual covert surveillance techniques/procedures - certainly nothing worthy of the title. As always, be fully aware of what you are purchasing and you won't be disappointed.

Bruno's book is good for those investigators that have the time and resources to equip a van specifically for covert surveillance. I can personally tell you however that I, like most private investigators, perform the vast majority of my surveillance activities using my personal vehicle, which I have equipped accordingly. So if you are looking to equip a surveillance van, this book might be what you are looking for; other than that, I would advise against purchasing this title.

If you are looking for a title that actually contains useful (emphasis added) surveillance techniques/procedures, I would highly recommend: "Covert Surveillance: The Manual of Surveillance Training" by Peter Jenkins (ISBN: 0953537803). I have had the pleasure of reading this fine text, which I consider to be the only covert surveillance techniques/procedures book worth recommending. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a copy for purchase.

As always, check with your local library or bookstore to see if you can read/review this or any title before deciding to make a purchase. This method has effectively allowed me to make the most of my investigative library budget.

I hope you found this review helpful. If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me via email at [e-mail]. Respectfully submitted, MB.

Rating:
Summary: Great !
Review: I think that "Serious Surveillance for the Private Investigator" is a great book for anyone interested in surveillance and investigation. I found several good ideas , but as I like Computer Forensics, I've read too "Le Guide du Cyberdétective", published in France by Editions Chiron, ISBN 2702707831, with interesting things about software surveillance

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Summary: The definitive book on surveillance vehicles
Review: In a large reference library, this book is one of the best when it comes to practical, nuts-and-bolts surveillance. On p. 62, Bruno writes, "On one ocassion, there was absolutely no place to do surveillance without looking out of place." Then he goes on to describe how they got the job done anyway - - a solution I have never seen anywhere else. BUY THE BOOK.

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Summary: Surveillance Guru
Review: My coworker and I sat on the floor at the library, read this book in about 15 minutes, and were overwhelmed by the wealth of knowledge Bob Bruno provides. Our only regret is that we cannot rate this book at 10 stars (AT LEAST)!!!!!

Bob Bruno is the PREMIER private investigator, and should be lauded without pause for the genius of his work. The principles his book has taught us will remain with us throughout our lives.

Bruno unleashes page after page of his expert knowledge in this classic example of P.I. turned Educator.

This is Bob Bruno's Magnum Opus.

Bob, wherever you are, we thank you.

Rating:
Summary: Title Should Be, "How To Equip A Surveillance Van."
Review: This book is good for those investigators that have the time and resources to equip a van specifically for surveillance. But as a licensed private investigator, I can tell you that I, as do most private investigators, perform the vast majority of my surveillance activities using my personal vehicle, which I have equipped accordingly. What it all comes down to is that the title of this book is highly misleading. Just be aware of what you are purchasing and you won't be disappointed.

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Summary: Reduculous "old man" tactics
Review: This is a case of a simple minded man writing a simple, useless, and outdated book. How anyone can conduct surveillance (exclusively)out of a van is beyond me. I've been tracking people for 18 years and getting film of what they do. Life is just too fast moving to sit in a van. Investigators must be responsive on short notice; that means using a host of vehicles to suit whatever situation is at hand. Bob just sits in his van; worse yet, his cloned backup shows up in another van. Bob had a heat stroke from sitting in his van. Had to be rushed to the hospital. Give me a Toyota extended cab with a good AC, I'll use my wits to set up and run a smart surveillance; and be quick and fresh when its time to follow and film. If you can't follow then you can't film! Bob gives the following bad advise: he says: give the attorney the original film (Hey Bob, attorneys lose stuff!); he says: don't film the claimant if he changes his tire because everyone will think you flattened the tire (Hey Bob, film everything!); he says: when the claimant departs, just sit and wait for him to come back (Hey Bob, learn to follow and get the film wherever the claimant goes)I would fire someone for using Bob's static approach. Nothing worth spending money for here.

Rating:
Summary: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY FORMER UNDERCOVER OFFICER
Review: This is a great book! I really enjoyed reading this. I recommend buying this one if you are interested in surveillance.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Waste Your Hard-Earned Dollars...
Review: This thin, poorly written and edited book, provided very little serious help of any kind in my attempt to gain knowledge of this subject. Bruno repeatedly emphasizes exactly _one_ technique: buy and outfit yourself an old conversion van. Even a novice law enforcement officer could come up with a multitude of creative and common-sense techniques if equipped with even a miniscule amount of imagination.

My recommendation instead? The Art of Surveillance by Kelly E. Riddle.