With the concept of personal investigation, all cinematic romance in police action films and spy thrillers is associated. In real life, surveillance, the introduction of an enemy into the camp and official secrets are called much more boring: operational-search measures, or the abbreviation OMR, famous in police circles. The ORM includes a lot of things, including personal investigation. All this falls under the federal law with the same name: “On the operational-search activity”.
There is good news: everything is in order with secrecy, surveillance, secret introduction into the criminal environment and other elements of the investigation, everything remains valid and, moreover, it is listed and described in detail in the Federal Law on Horde (so the operatives like to designate their basic law )
Concepts and Definitions
A personal search includes personal actions of employees who have the right to conduct operational-search measures. These actions are carried out to search and detain people suspected of committing a crime who are hiding from the investigation. Not only people are wanted, but also stolen property.
An important nuance: actions falling under the concept of “personal investigation” are carried out only by the investigator himself - personally. Hence the adjective "personal." In other words, not “personally a criminal”, but “personally a detective”.
Features of the detective
A personal investigation is by no means a one-time action. It is always a set of activities with a clear goal and a choice of actions that are most suitable for a particular situation. A successful investigation begins with a clear statement of the tasks and the expected results of the investigation. Because the choice of search and observation technologies (and there are more and more of them due to technical progress) will depend on the specifics of the wanted and all the circumstances of a particular case.
So, covert surveillance or interviewing witnesses are only components of the investigation, combined with other methods of operational-search measures.
The set of methods and their sequence can be anything, everything is aimed at the success of the overall results.
Detective secrecy
The detective acts in different ways: publicly or behind the scenes, depending on the situation. He can inspect the area, observe objects, interrogate and make inquiries to identify the identity of the wanted suspect in a different sequence and with a different degree of confidentiality.
Moreover, the operational plan may be adjusted in the course of the investigation or investigation. Flexibility and high adaptability of search plans are also among the most important factors for a successful investigation.
Criminals and suspects are not inclined to advertise their criminal actions. Tricks to keep secret the preparation and commission of a crime sometimes turn into true masterpieces. It is clear that the methods of personal investigation should correspond to what it is aimed at. Crime professors must be caught by the geniuses of the operational case.
Search and outdoor surveillance
It all started with them, these are the main methods of personal investigation. After information about the crime, the classic of the genre begins: the study of circumstances, places, things and objects. This also includes interviews with eyewitnesses and much more - all for finding and detaining a suspect. Search is more a method of the first stages of investigation; here the principle of personal investigation “in hot pursuit” works best.
Outdoor surveillance, surveillance or the famous "outdoor" is always a hidden process. In order to become an outdoor master, you need serious experience in disguise and theater skills. The main thing is not to give the subject of observation the slightest reason to notice that he is being watched. Operatives engaged exclusively in outdoor activities were called fillers. An experienced filer was highly appreciated always and everywhere, whether it was the Tsarist secret police, the emergency commission of the Bolsheviks, or the FSB’s foreign intelligence.
Criminalization
A mole or an agent without cover has long been the favorite heroes of numerous thrillers. This is the most risky method of personal investigation, possible only with powerful professional training. An agent must possess the most serious qualities: composure and the ability to make the right decisions in extreme situations.
Due to the particular danger of this method to an agent, preparation with the formation of a legend must be extremely thorough. Usually the agent does not work alone, he is assisted with communication and cover by specially assigned operatives.
The method is exceptionally high risk for the contractor. But the information obtained in this way is unique. In this case, the results of a personal investigation is the complete disclosure of criminal groups.
Detection methods in operational investigative measures
The basis of a personal investigation is the methods listed in the law "On the operational-search activity":
- interrogation of all who may have the necessary information may be hidden;
- information search and inquiry in any sources and in any format;
- search and collection of various samples for comparison;
- surveillance in a variety of forms, including hidden video;
- technology of test purchases and "mystery shopper";
- observation;
- the study of locations of any form, vehicles, structures, etc .;
The list of permitted operational search measures should be taken seriously and well versed in the methods listed. The fact is that the law “On the operational-search activity” includes certain restrictions on the conduct of certain types of MRA.
Search and civil liberties
For example, a detective does not have the right to control mail and other items via various communication channels. This can be done by a specialized unit of the operational-operational department (ORO). Such observations without informing citizens are extremely sensitive issues in terms of civil liberties and constitutional law. One can argue about this (which, in fact, is happening all over the world).
The best option would be a constructive discussion of the rights of citizens and the security needs of the same citizens. If you wish, you can always find a compromise solution on the principle "both the wolves are fed and the sheep are safe." Well, if without jokes, then the increasing degree of terrorist threat around the world makes citizens increasingly loyal to secret detective activities.
Survey Technologies
The survey is one of the most popular and informative methods of personal investigation. This is a conversation with citizens who, presumably, may have information useful for investigation (or may not). The objectives of the survey must be well understood in order to follow the methods of effective communication. These are usually:
- disclosure or prevention of crime;
- Search for hiding people, missing property and missing persons;
- clarification of the circumstances of the cases surrounding the crime.
The survey can be carried out in various ways:
- Vow direct questioning without any disguise or encryption of the purpose of the conversation. This is the most common way to search and communicate with eyewitnesses to obtain operational information about the signs of criminals, stolen property, etc.
- Covert - this is the best way if witnesses fear or do not want to inform the detectives of the necessary information (most often this is fear of revenge). In such a situation, the survey is conducted in a secret format in compliance with the rules of conspiracy. There may be any decisions: an invitation to a meeting in a neutral place under any pretext. If an eyewitness does not want to become a witness and therefore does not want to sign a protocol or other document, the police officer must comply with this requirement. In this case, the information is transmitted to management in the form of a report indicating the name of the confidential source.
Encrypted Survey
The third way to conduct a survey is the most difficult and exciting. This technology is used only in cases where the investigator does not fully trust the source of information.
Doubts may be in the reliability of the information or the sincerity of the interviewee. The interlocutor may report a conversation with field investigators to undesirable persons - those about whom the survey was conducted.
To encrypt the survey, you need to come up with a "legend" of conversation with a real reason to meet. Anything, if only the person interested in the detective did not realize the real interests of the operative. Questions can be asked, but only indirect and not related to the main business.
Such surveys are real art, they need at least two things: experience and the most thorough preparation.
Features of investigation in PPPP
Personal investigation is a mandatory type of operational-search measures. Moreover, this applies not only to operational officers, but also to the patrol and guard police (PPPP).
It is about conducting a personal investigation during patrols and being on duty. PPPS successfully involved in the search for criminals and suspects. To do this, they have special rules:
- Before the shift, check the route or post, clarify the features in relation to the operational situation, the location of neighboring outfits and detachments of national squads and how to communicate with them, orientation.
- The PSPF teams should be aware of which of those living in the patrol area have been convicted and released from prison.
- Clarify and master the map of the area with streets, squares, alleys and passageways through courtyards.
- Pay particular attention to potential irregularities or crime based on season, weather or social tensions.
Summary
Crimes are becoming more sophisticated, diverse and technically well-equipped. This means only one thing: the skill of investigation should be an order of magnitude higher.
Therefore, when choosing the tactics of personal investigation, it is necessary to carefully work out the exact focus on the specific tasks facing the operatives "here and now." The feasibility of the selected methods of operational work with an objective assessment of real capabilities are mandatory elements of preliminary training for a high-quality professional investigation.
The fulfillment of the main tasks should be the main factor in determining the forces, means and methods of action of participants in operational-search measures.
New types of crime, including, for example, cybercrime, lead to the formation of new-generation operational units. But the fundamental principles of personal investigation remain unchanged. Yes, and talent with hard work has not been canceled. Without them, the search is nowhere.