Michigan Physical Surveillance

What Is Physical Surveillance?

Physical surveillance is the direct observation and documentation of a subject’s movements, activities, and behavior by a trained investigator in the field. It is the most common type of investigation Eye Spy conducts and the one most likely to produce the kind of clear, time-stamped video evidence that holds up in court.

Unlike digital investigations or records searches, physical surveillance puts an investigator on the ground – on foot or in a vehicle – following the subject and capturing everything on camera. When you need to know what someone is actually doing, not just what the records say, physical surveillance is the answer.

How Eye Spy Conducts Physical Surveillance

Every physical surveillance assignment starts with a briefing. We review what you know, identify the subject, establish likely locations and movement patterns, and deploy accordingly. One or more investigators are assigned depending on the complexity of the case.

• Foot and vehicle surveillance by trained, licensed investigators
• Single and multi-investigator deployments for complex cases
• HD professional-grade video documentation of all subject activity
• Aerial drone surveillance for locations where ground surveillance is limited
• Infrared night vision equipment for low-light and nighttime assignments
• GPS vehicle tracking used in conjunction with field surveillance
• Time-stamped digital video and still photo output
• Written investigator report prepared for attorney or court use

Common Uses for Physical Surveillance in Michigan

Physical surveillance produces documented, firsthand evidence of behavior. Michigan courts, insurance companies, and attorneys rely on it because it is difficult to dispute. Common case types include:

• Infidelity and cheating spouse cases – document who the subject is meeting and where
• Workers’ compensation fraud – verify whether a claimant’s activity matches their reported injury
• Insurance fraud – document claimant behavior inconsistent with filed claims
• Child custody cases – observe parenting behavior during custodial periods
• Employee misconduct – confirm or rule out activity a business suspects is happening
• Legal support – gather evidence for attorneys in civil and domestic litigation

Court-Admissible Video Evidence

Video captured by a licensed Michigan private investigator is admissible in court. Eye Spy documents chain of custody, time-stamps all footage, and prepares reports that meet the evidentiary standards Michigan courts expect. Our investigators have testified as expert witnesses in state and federal cases.

Still photos can be generated from any video footage on request. All output is delivered in a format your attorney can use directly.

Why Eye Spy for Physical Surveillance in Michigan

Licensed and in-house. Every investigator on your case is licensed under Eye Spy’s Michigan private detective agency license and employed directly by us. We do not subcontract surveillance work.

State-of-the-art equipment. We use HD pro-grade video cameras, aerial spy drones, underwater drones, infrared night vision, and covert GPS tracking systems – the tools that produce clear evidence in any condition.

30 years of experience. Eye Spy has conducted physical surveillance across Michigan for over three decades. We know how to follow a subject without being detected and how to document what we find in a way that protects your case.

Available 24/7. Surveillance doesn’t follow business hours. Our investigators are available around the clock, every day of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is physical surveillance legal in Michigan?

Yes. Licensed private investigators in Michigan are legally permitted to conduct surveillance in any public place or location where the subject has no reasonable expectation of privacy. Eye Spy follows Michigan law on all assignments – we do not trespass, record inside private residences, or use illegal interception methods.

How many investigators do you use on a surveillance case?

It depends on the case. Single-investigator surveillance works well for straightforward assignments with predictable subject movement. Multi-investigator teams are used when a subject is likely to detect a tail, when multiple locations need to be covered simultaneously, or when the case requires continuous coverage over an extended period.

Can surveillance video be used in a Michigan divorce or custody case?

Yes. Video evidence gathered by a licensed private investigator is admissible in Michigan family court. It is regularly used in divorce proceedings to document infidelity and in custody cases to document parenting behavior or order violations.

What is the difference between physical surveillance and GPS tracking?

GPS tracking tells you where a vehicle has been. Physical surveillance tells you what the subject did when they got there. Eye Spy uses both in combination on many cases – GPS establishes location and movement patterns, then field investigators deploy to document activity on the ground.