How to Log Surveillance Observations

This guide shows you how to create and log surveillance operations in IronCase, including recording observations, managing team coordination, and generating surveillance reports.

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Understanding Surveillance Operations

Surveillance operations are coordinated efforts to monitor persons, locations, or vehicles. IronCase helps you:

• Plan and brief operations
• Log real-time observations
• Coordinate team members
• Generate documentation

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Surveillance Types

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Creating an Operation

Step 1: Access Surveillance

1. Open your case
2. Go to the Surveillance tab
3. Click New Operation

Or access from Surveillance in the navigation.

Step 2: Configure the Operation

1. Select type — Mobile, Static, Technical, Aerial, or Combined
2. Enter mission objective — Clear statement of purpose
3. Set target:
   • Person (link to case person)
   • Location (address or coordinates)
   • Vehicle (description, plate)
4. Set start date/time

Step 3: Add Team Members

1. Click Add Team Member
2. Select officers
3. Assign roles:
   • Lead/Eye
   • Backup
   • Support
   • Technical
   • Coordinator
4. Enter communication plan (radio channels, phone numbers)

Step 4: Start the Operation

1. Review operation details
2. Click Start Operation
3. Status changes to active
4. Team members can begin logging

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Logging Observations

Creating a Log Entry

During active surveillance:

1. Click Log Entry in the active operation
2. Select observation type
3. Enter details
4. Save the entry

Observation Types

Entry Details

Each log entry captures:

• Timestamp — Defaults to current time, can adjust
• Location — Where observed (address, description, coordinates)
• Description — What happened in detail
• Significance — Routine, Notable, or Critical
• Media — Attach photos or video

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Significance Levels

Critical entries trigger notifications to supervisors.

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Attaching Media

To add photos or video to an entry:

1. Click Attach Media
2. Upload file or capture from device
3. Add caption describing content
4. Media links to the log entry and case evidence

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Team Coordination

Real-Time Updates

All team members see:

• Live feed of log entries
• Current operation status
• Team member locations (if GPS enabled)
• Recent entries from all observers

Passing the Eye

When the lead observer transfers responsibility:

1. Current Eye clicks Pass Eye
2. Select new Eye
3. New Eye confirms
4. Transition logged automatically

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Managing Active Operations

Pausing Operations

If surveillance must pause:

1. Click Pause Operation
2. Enter reason
3. Log entry created automatically
4. Resume when ready

Ending Operations

When surveillance concludes:

1. Click End Operation
2. Enter end time
3. Add final notes
4. Operation moves to review status

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Completing the Operation

Review Phase

After ending:

1. Review all log entries
2. Correct any errors or typos
3. Add missing context
4. Verify timestamps and locations

Summary Report

1. Click Generate Summary
2. IronCase creates surveillance report including:
   • Operation overview
   • Team composition
   • Timeline of events
   • Key observations
   • Media index
3. Review and edit as needed
4. Click Finalize

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Operation Statuses

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Generated Documents

Completed operations produce:

• Surveillance Log — Chronological list of all entries
• Summary Report — Narrative summary of operation
• Media Index — List of all attached media
• Team Roster — Officers involved and roles

Documents attach to the case automatically.

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Best Practices

• Log in real-time — Don't rely on memory
• Be precise — Include times, descriptions, directions
• Use consistent terminology — "Subject" not "he/guy/target"
• Note what didn't happen — "Subject did not exit vehicle"
• Coordinate entries — Avoid duplicates from multiple observers
• Protect operations security — Follow department OPSEC protocols
• Document equipment — Note technical equipment used

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Related

• Surveillance Operations Reference
• Start an Investigation Phase
• Add Evidence