Which of the following is a basic guideline for surveillance described in the material?

• A. Complete description of person(s) under surveillance before you begin
• B. Record observations during surveillance
• C. End at the right time
• D. Ignore weather conditions

Answer: (A)

Starting with a complete description of the person or people under surveillance before you begin is foundational because it gives you a clear target to recognize under different circumstances. When you know exact details—physical characteristics, clothing tendencies, distinctive marks, typical routines, and familiar routes—you can consistently identify the right person, even in crowds or when they’re traveling with others. This pre-planning keeps you from watching the wrong individual and helps you stay organized as you set up vantage points, time observations, and cue in on relevant behaviors.

Recording observations during the surveillance is also important for building a reliable report, but it works best when you already have a solid description to guide what you’re looking for and how you interpret what you see. Ending at the right time and considering weather conditions are important too, but they complement the initial identification and planning rather than replace the value of having a precise pre-start description.