Tailing is a physical surveillance technique in which a licensed private investigator follows a subject on foot, by vehicle, or using a combination of both methods to observe and document their movements, activities, and associations. It is conducted covertly in public or semi-public spaces and is used to gather factual information relevant to a client's legal, personal, or insurance matter.
Tailing means a private investigator follows someone without being detected to see where they go and what they do. The investigator records observations through notes, photographs, or video taken in locations where the subject has no reasonable expectation of privacy. The goal is to produce a factual, documented account of the subject's behavior during the surveillance period.
A spouse who suspects their partner of undisclosed activities may hire an investigator to follow the individual and document their whereabouts on specific days and times. In workers' compensation cases, an employer or insurer may request tailing to verify whether a claimant's physical activities are consistent with their reported injury. Custody disputes sometimes involve tailing to observe whether a parent's daily routines and associations align with the environment they have described to the court.
Licensed private investigators in most jurisdictions may follow a subject and record their activities in public spaces where no reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Investigators may not trespass, use illegal tracking devices, or conduct surveillance in ways that violate state or federal wiretapping and privacy statutes. Laws governing surveillance vary by state, so investigators must operate within the specific legal framework of the jurisdiction where the work is performed.
What kind of evidence will I receive after a tailing assignment, and in what format?
Clients typically receive a written surveillance report detailing the subject's observed movements, times, and locations, along with any photographs or video footage captured during the assignment. The format and level of detail depend on what occurred during the surveillance period and the investigator's documentation practices. If the assignment produces no significant activity, that outcome is also reported accurately and in full.
Can an investigator tail someone without that person ever finding out, and what happens if the subject becomes aware of the surveillance?
Investigators are trained to maintain distance and vary their positions to reduce the risk of detection, but there is no guarantee a subject will remain unaware, particularly during extended or repeated assignments. If a subject appears to notice the surveillance, a professional investigator will typically discontinue the tail for that session to avoid confrontation and to protect the integrity of the case. Any incident involving potential detection is documented and communicated to the client so that next steps can be discussed.
