Book
Behind the Private Eye
Behind the Private Eye
Private Investigation Book
By Chris Cooper
"Behind the Private Eye" is authored by Australian private investigator Chris Cooper and was first released June 2005. Chris Cooper began working in the security industry from 1987 and was soon locating debtors and delivering court papers as a process server. By 1989 he had started his own PI business, with special skills in the area of rural and difficult terrain surveillance.
Chris was also selected for the Australian Special Forces Reserves. Here are some shots of his action-packed life:
For thirteen years Chris worked as both a commando and a private investigator. He completed several investigator training courses with both NSW TAFE and Charles Sturt University. Having secretly followed and photographed hundreds of people throughout his career as a PI, Chris has a wealth of experience which he now shares with readers in this book.
To his credit, he has:
- Arrested numerous offenders while he worked as team leader on large surveillance operations
- Worked undercover on covert operations, including posing as everything from factory floor worker to ‘qualified’ X-Ray technician
- Infiltrated criminal networks distributing counterfeit goods and pirate pay TV services, resulting in convictions
- Worked as a live-in armed bodyguard to several clients
- Worked in the Philippines on a remote goldmine in heavily occupied NPA terrorists, narrowly missing a kidnapping attempt
- Qualified as an Army instructor in many Special Forces disciplines including mountain warfare
In 1999 Chris was posted overseas with the Army to Bougainville, where he personally devised and instigated “Clean-up Bougainville Day” which was approved by the Defence Force. It brought the Australian Army and several warring factions such as the BRA together for a community orientated activity day. On a personal level Chris has experienced life in many facets, including as a BridgeClimb tour leader, personally manufacturing the torches for the 2004 Greek Olympics, working as a model, working as stand-in actor on films like Mission Impossible, and other unusual occupations.
Chris is thoroughly experienced in all aspects of surveillance. Although still involved in the investigation industry as a speaker and training consultant, he is now conducting government funded research and development into a new positioning and tracking technology.
PLEASE NOTE your payment goes directlyto Neomatrix and this together with shipping is processed entirely by Chris Cooper independently of our website. Please direct any questions you have about the book, delivery or retailers directly to Chris Cooper
DISCLAIMER
PREFACE
CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF PRIVATE INQUIRY AGENTS
CHAPTER 2: SURVEILLANCE DEFINED
The case of fraudulent kosher
CHAPTER 3: WHY THINGS ARE SEEN
The case of the inquisitive cow
CHAPTER 4: BACKGROUND CHECKS
ELECTORAL ROLLS
ELECTORAL ROLL ACCESS
The case of conflicting interests
TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES
AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES INVESTMENT COMMISSION (ASIC)
NSW OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING
DEPARTMENT OF LANDS
COUNCIL RECORDS
INSOLVENCY AND TRUSTEE SERVICE AUSTRALIA (ITSA)
COURT RECORDS
AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS REGISTER (ABR)
CREDIT & INSURANCE DATABASES
AUSTRALASIAN LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE (AUSLII)
WEB SEARCHES
TRADING / TENANT REFERENCE DATABASES
MEDIA SEARCHES
MAP & ROUTE NAVIGATION
CHAPTER 5: SURVEILLANCE PREPARATION
PRE-SURVEILLANCE INQUIRIES (URBAN)
DEPARTURE CHECKLIST
CHAPTER 6: PRETEXT CALLS
The case of injured testicles
The case of being taken for a ride
The case of swindling the bank
PRETEXT SUGGESTIONS
CHAPTER 7: IDENTIFYING PEOPLE
IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES
The case of a wandering pot plant
CHAPTER 8: CAMERA TECHNIQUES
CHAPTER 9: STARTING SURVEILLANCE
ON ARRIVAL – FIRST TIME
ON ARRIVAL – GENERALLY
DRIVE-PAST
PHOTOGRAPHS
CHAPTER 10: MANAGING SECURED AREAS
The case of long airport delays
GAINING ACCESS TO BUILDINGS
CHAPTER 11: MANAGING APARTMENTS
IDENTIFYING UNIT NUMBERS
ELIMINATION
PHONE RINGING METHOD
LIGHT METHOD
MAIL METHOD
NOTE METHOD
GARBAGE CLUES
REAL ESTATE CLUES
EARLY WARNING BUGS
CALL-OUT METHOD
SURVEILLANCE ON UNITS
CHAPTER 12: MANAGING SHOPPING CENTRES
TROLLEY CAM
The case of bad table service
CHAPTER 13: MANAGING CAR PARKS
CHAPTER 14: MANAGING BUILDINGS
CHAPTER 15: MANAGING TRAINS
CHAPTER 16: MANAGING BUSES
CHAPTER 17: MANAGING TAXIS
The case of the undercover taxi driver
CHAPTER 18: MANAGING THE ENVIRONMENT
INCREASING EXPOSURE TIME
EARLY WARNING DEVICES
The case of the Paparazzi PI
The case of the Belmore Bomber
CHAPTER 19: STATIC SURVEILLANCE (STAKEOUTS)
STAKEOUT PARKING GUIDE
WHEN TO CONDUCT SURVEILLANCE?
CHAPTER 20: FOLLOWS BY FOOT
The case of the stolen noodles
CHAPTER 21: FOLLOWS BY VEHICLE
DEPARTURES
DURING A FOLLOW
ARRIVALS
LOST CONTACT RESPONSE
CHAPTER 22: SURVEILLANCE VEHICLE CONSIDERATIONS
VEHICLE INVENTORY
VEHICLE SETUP
URINE MANAGEMENT
The case of mistaken identity
CHAPTER 23: INFIDELITY SURVEILLANCE
WORKING WITH DOMESTIC CLIENTS
The case of religious divorce
CHAPTER 24: MEDICAL APPOINTMENT SURVEILLANCE
MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS – KEY POINTS
CHAPTER 25: DISGUISES
CHAPTER 26: UNDERCOVER SURVEILLANCE
The case of the dodgy cable guy
CHAPTER 27: RURAL SURVEILLANCE
RURAL SURVEILLANCE ISSUES
PRE-SURVEILLANCE INQUIRIES (RURAL)
COMMENCING A RURAL STAKEOUT
The case of a favourable compromise
CHAPTER 28: AGENT COMMUNICATIONS
CHAPTER 29: GARBAGE SEARCHES
CHAPTER 30: SURVEILLANCE REPORTING
REPORT WRITING
ON ARRIVAL
EXAMPLE REPORT
The case of pornographic evidence
CHAPTER 31:
SURVEILLANCE FEES & CHARGES
TIME
KILOMETRES
CHARGE OUT CENTRES
REPORT FEE
VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPH EXPENSES
EXPENSES
TERMS
CHAPTER 32: WORK ETHICS & SAFETY
AGENT PROVOCATEUR
CONTINUITY OF EVIDENCE
AGENT SAFETY
The case of the mad whipper-snipper
The case of the mad mechanic
The case of the indiscreet policeman
The case of cheap phone calls
The case of a hunter becoming prey
The case of the panting intruder
CHAPTER 33: TRAINING COURSES
The case of the secret graduation
LICENSING DETAILS
CHAPTER 34: CONCLUSION
It's informative, fun, accurate, and suitable for any surveillance course. Never before in my 21 years as a licensed PI have I found a private investigation text so accurate, precise or relevant. It's a great read for PI students as well as experienced agents, full of tips and tricks which take years to learn.
Michael Rumore, Managing Director, Rumore & Associates Pty Ltd
I couldn't put the "Behind the Private Eye" down, it was an enthralling insight into the life of a private investigator. Real-life experiences are the best method of teaching for students. This is a must read for any aspiring surveillance operator.
John Bracey, President, Australian Institute of Private Detectives
Wish I had a copy of this book eleven years ago when I started surveillance as a PI. It teaches not only what to do, but how, and why. Beginners and experienced investigators will benefit from the knowledge and the experience of the author. The emphasis is on skills required to be a successful PI, and there are no other Australian resources which teach the art of surveillance so effectively.
Michael Evans, National Risk & Investigations Manager, The Australian Security Academy
I've taught the TAFE investigations course for years. This book is perfect, and our students love it. We use it for all our classes.
Daniel John, Instructor, NSW TAFE
This book is very well written and has some great material. I commend Chris for his efforts.
Adrian Francis, National Training Manager, ASSI International
Were it not for the many clever and relevant anecdotes in Cooper's "Behind the Private Eye" then I'd definitely call his book The Workshop Manual for PIs. And a big manual it is too. It has everything needed for surveillance and related investigations, many things I didn't know even after 30 years as an investigator. The book covers a myriad of scenarios and gives you real solutions. The author explains everything in comprehensive easy to understand language. He doesn't hold back on any "tricks of the trade" and shares his obviously extensive knowledge freely. I think this book will be quickly recognised as an essential learning resource for all investigators.
Michael Hessenthaler, owner investigateway.com.au
We support
We support
