Preliminary Investigation | Initial Clarification

In films and television documentaries, viewers are constantly given the impression that one simply has to burst into a detective agency, breathlessly explain one’s problem, and the detectives will immediately rush out to solve the case. In reality, this is not the case, as our investigators at Kurtz Detective Agency Zurich and Switzerland will explain to you in detail below.

Who? When? Where? – Questions to Ensure Success

Provided that a legitimate interest exists, our experienced investigators will ask you case-specific questions, because the more information we have, the more efficiently we can work. Let us take the example of suspected marital infidelity, where we are to observe the allegedly unfaithful partner during your absence. In this case, we must know what his or her daily routine looks like, what leisure activities they usually engage in, where their workplace is, who may belong to their circle of friends and colleagues, what means of transport they use (train, car, bicycle, etc.), and much more.

Why do we need all this information? Suppose a lone private investigator follows the subject on foot, but the person unexpectedly gets into a car. The detective would then have to terminate the observation, being unable to continue following. Knowing the likely mode of transport is therefore of great importance. To conduct surveillance properly, it is also advisable to operate with at least two investigators, allowing flexible adaptation to any situation.

Reconnaissance of the Surveillance Area – Avoiding Surprises

After the exchange of information with you, our Swiss detectives research the situation on site prior to any planned surveillance in order to assess the possibilities (escape routes) and potential obstacles (construction sites, schools, etc.). For example, investigators must know whether the residential or business premises have multiple exits, whether one-way streets must be taken into account, whether long-term construction sites require diversions, whether complex environments such as large car parks or multi-storey car parks need to be considered, or whether an investigation vehicle parked near the home or workplace might attract attention – keyword: watchful neighbours.

This type of preliminary investigation (surveillance area reconnaissance) helps to avoid unpleasant surprises to a large extent, though of course, certain sudden events such as temporary roadworks cannot be foreseen.

Operational Planning | What to Consider During a Surveillance

Once the preliminary investigations have been completed, our detective agency in Zurich will draw up an operational plan together with you. The timing of the operation is one important aspect, since a supposedly unfaithful partner is unlikely to meet their lover during working hours – unless, of course, the lover happens to be a colleague, but more on that later. Furthermore, we determine which operational resources must be used to achieve a swift and comprehensive result.

For instance, if the suspect cycles to the fitness centre but then gets into their lover’s car on the way back, our investigator on the bicycle is at a disadvantage. Although our Swiss detectives are sufficiently athletic, following a car without being motorised oneself exceeds the limits of human capability. And even if Fabian Cancellara himself were in the saddle, he would immediately attract attention when pursuing a motor vehicle – and naturally, detectives must never attract attention.

Therefore, we always advise our clients to employ two surveillance operatives. While one can follow the subject on foot, another detective remains ready in a car to react to changing circumstances. This ensures continuous monitoring and prevents the observation from having to be interrupted due to lack of personnel. Our Swiss private investigators will be pleased to advise you in detail: +41 44 5522 264.

Internal Workplace Surveillance

Let us return to the case mentioned above, in which you suspect your partner of having an affair with a colleague. This type of surveillance is somewhat more complex than in public spaces. During their many years of experience, our Zurich detectives have not yet had the good fortune to visit a company as an uninvolved person and coincidentally catch the subject in an intimate situation with their affair partner. Unfortunately, surveillance is rarely that simple.

If the subject works in a publicly accessible building (for example, in hospitality, a fitness centre, and similar), surveillance is easier than in an office or craft business. In some cases, internal workplace monitoring can be carried out by placing an undercover investigator within the company, depending on the circumstances, either male or female. This form of surveillance is a highly effective means of discreetly approaching the subject, though infiltration is also a cost-intensive procedure. Therefore, we will discuss the expected fees with you in detail beforehand. Should you require assistance – whether concerning marital infidelity or the verification of an employee – our Detective Agency for Zurich and Switzerland will be pleased to advise you comprehensively and without obligation: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-schweiz.ch.