Surveillance | Person Observation

There are many different reasons why clients choose to engage the Kurtz Detective Agency Zurich and Switzerland for surveillance assignments: infidelity, undeclared employment relevant to maintenance payments, or neglect of parental duties in custody matters are examples common among private clients; for companies, issues such as working-time fraud, sick leave abuse, undeclared work, or transport and warehouse theft frequently necessitate professional observation.

In these and many other cases, our experienced surveillance operatives in Switzerland are at your disposal: +41 44 5522 264.

Thorough Preparation Increases the Chances of Success | Preliminary Investigations and Area Reconnaissance

Before starting a surveillance operation, it is essential to gather as much information as possible about the expected behaviour of the subject. Details about daily routines, vehicles, habits, and possibly leisure activities help our private investigators in Switzerland ensure continuous and effective monitoring. The same applies to the area in which the subject moves daily. Our detectives assess which access routes, building entrances and exits, squares, construction sites, and diversions need to be taken into account.

After completing this preliminary research, our Swiss investigators create an operation plan. In any person surveillance, it is crucial to eliminate as many uncertainties as possible and design the deployment so that any changes can be addressed immediately.

Keeping the Subject in Sight | Legal Investigation Methods

During surveillance, our trained Zurich detectives document their findings both with photographic evidence and in a legally admissible investigation report. We proceed meticulously without violating any applicable law. This means that while we monitor the subject carefully regarding the suspicion at hand, we do not enter private premises such as homes or apartments to observe, as this would constitute a criminal offence under Art. 186 of the Swiss Penal Code. Such an action would not only breach Swiss law but would also render any evidence gathered in this way inadmissible in court — and therefore useless for most of our clients.

Our understanding of lawful and court-admissible evidence documentation strictly excludes both criminal and disproportionate investigative methods. If you have questions about specific details, please contact us by phone or via our contact form.

Two Are Better Than One – Not Just a Saying, But a Fact

Even the best detectives are human — they may need to take short breaks or respond to unexpected circumstances. It becomes problematic when a lone operative must leave the observation post or when the subject suddenly changes their mode of transport — for example, getting into a taxi after walking for a while. Unless the detective instantly finds another taxi, the surveillance will have to be aborted, as they will not be able to follow the departing vehicle on foot.

For this reason, our Swiss detective agency always recommends deploying at least two investigators. In the taxi example, one detective could follow on foot while the second maintained visual contact from a vehicle, ensuring continuous surveillance. Losing sight of the target can mean that previous hours — or even an entire day — of work are wasted. Naturally, the time spent up to that point must still be billed (see Detective Fees). In short: saving at the wrong end can end up being more costly than using adequate resources from the start.

Cross-Cantonal and International Operations

Our Zurich-based detective agency’s surveillance work is not limited to the metropolitan area but extends throughout all Swiss cantons and cities, including Aargau, Ticino, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, and even Vaduz in Liechtenstein. We also conduct operations throughout Europe — for example in Luxembourg, Germany, or Denmark — and across the globe. Furthermore, we provide our expertise to international clients who require a qualified investigative team in Switzerland.

We would be pleased to take on your case as well. Send us an email at kontakt@kurtz-detektei-schweiz.ch or call us for a non-binding consultation at +41 44 5522 264.