CFA CFA Surveillance Techniques & Methods 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the standard minimum recommended team size for effective mobile foot surveillance?
- Three operatives (Correct answer)
- One operative
- Two operatives
- Five operatives
Correct answer: Three operatives
A minimum of three operatives allows for rotation of the lead position, reducing the risk that the subject will recognize a single follower.
Question 2: What does the 'ABC' formation refer to in foot surveillance operations?
- A three-person team configuration where A follows closest, B provides parallel support, and C covers the rear (Correct answer)
- A three-phase approach: Assess, Brief, and Close
- An escalating alert system for surveillance detection
- The sequence of debriefing after a surveillance operation
Correct answer: A three-person team configuration where A follows closest, B provides parallel support, and C covers the rear
The ABC formation assigns roles to three surveillance operatives: A maintains closest contact with the subject, B provides a parallel track, and C covers the rear and confirms patterns.
Question 3: What is a 'trigger' in surveillance operations?
- An operative or device positioned to alert the team when a subject moves from a known static location (Correct answer)
- The signal given to arrest a surveillance target
- The moment when a surveillance team is detected by the subject
- A predetermined phrase used on radio communications
Correct answer: An operative or device positioned to alert the team when a subject moves from a known static location
A trigger is an operative or sensor positioned to observe and immediately alert the mobile surveillance team when a subject departs from a known location.
Question 4: What does 'dry cleaning' refer to in a surveillance context?
- Deliberate actions taken by an operative to detect and shake any surveillance coverage before a sensitive meeting (Correct answer)
- The process of sanitizing surveillance equipment after an operation
- Removing identifying markers from surveillance vehicles
- Reviewing and purging classified surveillance logs
Correct answer: Deliberate actions taken by an operative to detect and shake any surveillance coverage before a sensitive meeting
Dry cleaning refers to counter-surveillance maneuvers an operative uses to identify and lose any hostile surveillance before proceeding to a sensitive location or meeting.
Question 5: What term is used when a surveillance operative is positively identified by the subject being surveilled?
- Burned (Correct answer)
- Triggered
- Flagged
- Blown cover
Correct answer: Burned
An operative is said to be 'burned' when the surveillance subject has identified them, requiring immediate withdrawal from the operation.
Question 6: Which surveillance technique involves establishing a covert observation post near a location the target is expected to visit?
- Static surveillance (Correct answer)
- Mobile surveillance
- Technical surveillance
- Parallel surveillance
Correct answer: Static surveillance
Static surveillance involves establishing a fixed observation post at a location where the subject is expected to appear, allowing monitoring without mobile exposure.
CFA CFA Surveillance Techniques & Methods 1
What is the standard minimum recommended team size for effective mobile foot surveillance?