Tailing, to be clear, is following someone in a car or on foot. Surveillance is watching someone from a distance. You'll have to know the difference for this to make sense.
First, let's start with the pre-surveillance work. It only takes one stroll through the internet channels, public records, and social media to find one's habits and usual places to visit. There are whole websites dedicated to helping people do this. One hour or less and someone can know you hang out at the public library every Friday and you went to a Nancy Drew Convention in New Orleans last year (just a fictional example, but you get the idea). It's not that hard to do this. If you check your friends' Facebook events and pictures, you already have a lot of information. Your fictional PI, if they are on the level, should double-check information, but you can make a fool of your PI by having them jump to conclusions. Your call, fellow writers.
Also, pre-surveillance involves asking clients hard questions, basically everything they know about this person. If they can provide a picture, even better! Your PI may have to push a little and may offend their own client. That would make rather interesting dialogue, in my opinion, but, again, this is your call, writers. If you want a PI to fail, you may consider having a lying client or not having your PI ask enough questions.
Now we have surveillance work. I will be brief on this. Here is a list of things that should be done and a list of things that shouldn't be done:
Do!
-take solid notes with the time written on them
-note people interacting with target
-pay attention to everything
-if in group surveillance, some way to contact or signal team members
-two ways to take notes, one electronic and another paper/pencil
-be prepared to spend the day in your car (bring food/water/something to use for a make-shift bathroom)
-be patient and well rested
- park discreetly
-show up early
-have a dull looking car with tinted windows and dress to blend in
-public property is your friend
-make use of your car mirror
Don't!
-order takeout
-take a book and be distracted by your phone
-smoke with a window down
-drive around in an obvious car
-stick out like a sore thumb
-take sloppy notes
-nod off
-lose the target
-get found out by your target/arrested by police for stalking
-go on private property
-forget the basic needs and go the restroom in a restaurant nearby
-try anything you see in the noir movies
When it comes to tailing, a lot of the above still applies, but there are added dos and don'ts.
Do!
-keep two car distances
-blend in with your car
-drive safe and know your terrain/roads ahead of time
-take note of vehicle details
-stay out of rearview mirrors
-if on a subway in a city, have tickets ahead of time
Don't!
-be right behind them in an obvious car in obvious clothes
-get in a car accident
-find yourself waiting for a subway ticket while the target disappears
-get seen in a rearview mirror
-drive like a maniac
-lose your target
-get found by your target
-harm your target, others, or yourself in any way
Writers, I hope this helps and let me know if you have any interests you want me to research and blog about!
Sources:
https://thoughtcatalog.com/adrian-lamo/2015/08/this-is-how-you-can-tail-someone-like-a-professional/
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