TSCM Listening Post – Warning Signs That Indicate You Are Bugged

Source: TSCM Listening Post – Warning Signs That Indicate You Are Bugged

Report Writing – Its Types and Significance

Administrative and managerial activities in the modern world are growing in a complex environment. Organizations need accurate and up-to-date information in order to formulate their future line of action. Formation of policies is not possible and practicable in the absence of information; and to fulfill this aim the top-brass executives/policy formulators require the latest information in order to chalk out proper strategies for improving organizational performance. An efficient and highly professional management is in the habit of obtaining reports regularly. Therefore it can be affirmed that report is an integral part of MIS (Management Information System).

A report is an unbiased, objective, straight-forward presentation of facts to one or more receivers to serve a pre-decided business objective. It is a submission of facts and circumstances that are traced out of investigation, inspection, experience, research, survey, interview and the like functions. Presentation of reality is the password here.

Types of Reports

Broadly speaking we can classify reports in three categories:

Regular Reports

These are prepared by establishments on daily, weekly, quarterly, monthly, biannually, or annually to present information about sales, income, credit, status, or company’s performance.

Special Purpose Reports

Also known as formal reports, are written to describe or explain a program, event, or investigation.

News Reports

These are written generally on the matters of public interest, events and happenings etc. News reports can be classified into two broad types, Straight News Report and Investigative Report. The former is the systematic representation of what has happened, in a straight forward, factual plain way. The report neither draws any conclusion nor offers any opinion here. The latter is an in-depth report. It discusses every minute details of the issue and reflects investigative journalism.

Significance of Report

In the modern business scenario, reports play a major role in the progress of business. Reports are the backbone to the thinking process of the establishment and they are responsible, to a great extent, in evolving an efficient or inefficient work environment. The significance of the reports includes:

Reports present adequate information on various aspects of the business.
All the skills and the knowledge of the professionals are communicated through reports.
Reports help the top line in decision making.
A true and balanced report also helps in problem solving.
Reports communicate the planning, policies, and other matters regarding an organization to the masses.
News reports play the role of ombudsman and levy checks and balances on the establishment.

By Amna Tariq Shah
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Factual Investigators –
Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures Pty Ltd

What Is Regulatory Compliance?

The best route to understanding what regulatory compliance means is to go the root of the expression, which is clear. Compliance is described as a state of being in accordance with set regulations. So, regulatory compliance is simple -it is being compliant with regulations. Let us explore what kind of compliance is required, and what regulation are we talking about.

Regulatory compliance is an ocean:

In a broad sense, regulatory compliance is something whose depths can perhaps never be fathomed. This is so because everything -meaning quite literally everything from a pin to an airplane -needs some or another kind of compliance. Any product, from the smallest to the biggest, has to be compliant with regulatory requirements. What is it that makes regulatory compliance such a big thing, who frames rules and laws relating to regulation, and why is it so important?

Why is regulation needed?

This is as simple as why rules are needed for governing people. Every product from every field in the physical world, to quote the example given above again, from pin to an airplane, is manufactured and finessed according to set standards. These standards are needed because in their absence, there is no such thing as science in them. Science is all about exactness, logic and predictability.

In the absence of regulatory compliance, this very foundation is shaken. In other words, there is no product without regulatory compliance. All products have to go through demonstrable, deducible and reproducible processes. This is what makes them actual products. Or else, they would be some kind of spiritual experiment that is left to the individual to experience.

Regulation is at the heart of products and processes:

Any product that is manufactured, no matter to which field it belongs, has to undergo a clearly demonstrable process. The process has to be objective, and it must be open to changes and refutations. Only a product that convincingly demonstrates that it is capable of producing its desired effect time and again in any situation and at any point of time qualifies to be a process-oriented product. Regulations are all about making setting out specifications for these.

Further, if a product is to demonstrate its core quality, it has to also ensure that it is safe within prescribed limits. Who sets these prescribed limits? It is regulatory authorities again. So, regulatory compliance is all about ensuring that a product is just what it is and that it serves its intended use within set safety parameters.

Regulatory compliance and non-manufactured products:

Compliance is thus an area that is as vast as it is exact. Respective regulatory bodies exist in different countries at different levels to ensure that anything that is produced meets regulatory compliance standards. Having said this, we have to bear in mind that only manufactured products are subject to these hairsplitting, high-definition regulations. For instance, rice is produced, but is not manufactured.

Safety and intended use are the prime factors:

This is different from the case of say, medicines. All the processes, right from the ingredient stage, are precise and scientific. This is where we have to understand how regulatory compliance works. Eventually, the aim is to ascertain and ensure safety and intended use. Compliance is also needed to make sure that organizations making products are come out with safe products.

By Charles Samuel Ben
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Private Investigators –
Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures Pty Ltd

Surveillance: A Commonly Used Tool by Law Enforcement and Private Investigators

Surveillance is an art. Undetected surveillance is even more of an art. Surveillance is a commonly used tool by Law Enforcement and Private Investigators across America. Surveillance can take on many forms and is usually used to further an ongoing investigation. Surveillance can be a very effective tool for the investigator but it requires many hours of training and hands on experience before one becomes proficient in the art.

So, what does the word surveillance mean? The dictionary defines surveillance as 1) The close observation of a person or group, especially one under suspicion and 2) The act of observing or the condition of being observed. There are many reasons why Law Enforcement and Private Investigators would use surveillance in the furtherance of an investigation. However, even more important to the investigator is how, who, where and when will the surveillance be conducted.

Lets discuss the “How” first. The investigator needs to determine how the surveillance will be conducted. Will it be conducted on foot, maybe in shopping mall or parking lot. Will it be conducted by car, maybe following the target from home to work. Will the traffic conditions and time of day be a factor? Will the need for aerial surveillance exist? How many investigators will it take to conduct the surveillance? All these and many more must be determined before a surveillance can even be initiated.

Now, lets discuss the “who”. Who is the target? Sometimes, the need for a surveillance is to help in identifying a person. Usually, the investigator already has the target identified and that led to his/her location in the first place. Who does the target live with or who does the target associate with? Surveillance will assist the investigators with gathering facts or intelligence. Who is the target and what is his/her background? Is the target a career criminal or repeat offender that is wise to the system? Has he/her been a previous surveillance target? The investigators better know who they are about to follow.

We have discussed the “how” and the “who”, now the investigator has to decide “where” to conduct the surveillance. Choosing the right location for a surveillance may depend on what the desired outcome is to be. Is the surveillance to be conducted for gathering intel or will it lead to an arrest. Is a populated area like a mall or a parking lot going to help the surveillance or will it be a hinderance. How easy will it be to lose the target in a crowded place, or even worse, how easy will it be for the target to spot the investigators. There are many variables to consider when choosing a location. No two surveillances are ever the same.

Lastly, lets talk about the “when”. Daytime and nighttime are two, very different factors when it comes to surveillance. I could write an article solely on the difference between the two. The investigator needs to decide when to conduct the surveillance. Sometimes, the investigator may not have a choice. Sometimes the people we choose to follow are night owls or 3rd shifters. They don’t even leave the house until most people are going to bed for the night. This puts a whole new twist on the surveillance. Its much easier to get “burned” at night because there are less people around to blend in with. Ever see the difference between driving at 3pm vs driving at 3am? Both times are actually hazardous to a surveillance. Driving at 3pm in most cities makes it easy to lose the target in traffic. Driving at 3am makes it easy for the target to spot the surveillance. So, which is it?

In closing, an investigator can never have enough training or hands on experience because no two surveillances are ever the same. There are just too many variables in an ever changing society that we live in. If you ever have to hire a private investigator and the need for surveillance arises, ask him/her about their training and experience. Many licensed private investigators are former police detectives who have in fact logged hundreds, and sometimes thousands of hours of surveillance. Some licensed investigators have never conducted surveillance and will seek out the assistance of those who have. Surveillance really is an art!

By Bill Willm
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Surveillance Investigators –
Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures Pty Ltd

The 8 Best Driving Tips for Road Safety

Worldwide, vehicle accidents belong in the top 10 causes of death. Every year, approximately more than 1 million people die because of car crash and other car accidents. Aside from deaths and injuries, there is also a considerable driver population that gets traffic tickets for one or more violations they commit. Really, being a safe driver takes more work than being the reckless one. However, if you are a driver that values the life of your passengers, your vehicle, and the lives of others, you’ll take the challenges for defensive driving. Here’s how to become a safe driver.

1.Regularly maintain your vehicle. Keeping your vehicle in its perfect shape guarantees a no hassle driving. It is also your best guard against accidents caused by broken or damaged parts. Very important regular service for your vehicle include your engine, antifreeze/coolant level, braking system, mirrors, headlights, wiper blades, tires, and other parts.

2.Stay Focused. When you’re on the road, pay 100 percent attention to what you are doing. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and use your rearview mirrors to see what’s behind you. Don’t get distracted with anything you see as you don’t know if the vehicle behind you is running to fast and might bump your car if you keep on staring at something else. Other driving distractions include sleepiness, fatigue, daydreaming, and etc.

3.Don’t over speed. If your car is running extremely fast, you might cause a collision when you suddenly stop. The science of physics state that over-acceleration can increase stored energy that needs to be released in any collision. Also, all increases in speed result in decreased reaction time to hazards as you are covering more distance shorter before it takes time to react.

4.Buckle up. Wear your seatbelts all the time when inside the car. When it comes to inventions, seatbelts are the most important safety device ever invented for drivers. It protects the driver and passengers in two ways: protects you from impacts and restrains you enough so you won’t be thrown away from your vehicle. Don’t worry about your seat belts wrinkling your clothes or you are uncomfortable with it. Think of the head injury you might suffer when you’re thrown outside your car which can lead to death.

5.Don’t drink and drive. Drunk drivers are commonly the ones involved in car crashes and other accidents. In fact, drunk driving is the number one cause of vehicular accidents in most countries. If you’re drunk, your perception and senses diminish significantly. When you are out in a bar with a group of friends, there should be someone who’s not drinking to drive the rest of the group home. If you’re out alone and had more than little amount of alcohol, don’t get behind the steering wheel and get a cab.

6.Slow down when it’s snowing or raining. During the cold months, the road is slippery and visibility is not at all tolerable, drive slowly. Fogs, rain, snow, and hail are potentially dangerous driving conditions and it takes only the mature and safe driver to get pass on it.

7.Don’t use your mobile phone when driving. You can’t do two things at the same time, especially if the other one is driving a vehicle. Even though hands-free features allow you to talk to someone on the phone with both your hands on the steering wheel, it is still not safe.

8.Buckle the kids at the back. The vehicle’s front area is definitely a no-no for kids under twelve. Most states have corresponding penalties for parents who place their kids at the car’s front. In cases of collisions children at the front can easily be thrown outside and the airbags are not also safe for kids below 12 years old.

By Max Kalles
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Risk Managers –
Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures Pty Ltd

Investigating Compliance Failures to Preempt Government Probes

Companies are now facing a greater risk than ever of suffering losses due to the fines and fees associated with compliance and fraud failures in the face of the recent government attention being brought to bear on these issues. This new focus on the part of government agencies, coupled with the dramatic rise in incidents of corporate fraud over the last decade, have made this matter a real and present danger to all companies, and an inescapable reality if measures are taken soon to preempt and counteract these threats. It takes only one incident, one indiscretion slipping under a company’s compliance radar, and one employee tempted by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new whistleblower incentive, and suddenly the whole organization is being investigated under a microscope with little to no chance of defending itself.

Perhaps the best, if not only action that a company can take to help protect itself from the expensive wrath of these agencies is by taking on investigations into fraudulent activity on their own initiative and conducting such a thorough and efficient inquiry into the matter that, should the government become involved, the company will be able to offer up their own findings to help expedite the matter, as well as acting as evidence of the company’s commitment to proper corporate governance. Research and tested methods have shown that the ideal strategy for any organization forced to handle such a situation is for that company to hire an external investigative team with extensive knowledge and experience in proper investigative techniques in a corporate setting, and to couple these consultants with a team of the company’s own employees who can lend their own internal company knowledge and expertise to the investigation. Also, any such investigations should be carefully monitored by the company’s upper management to ensure that the whole process goes smoothly.

To begin an investigation into claims of fraudulent activity, the investigative team will need start at the most logical point of interest based on the nature of the claims or speculations of fraud. From here, any new evidence can be traced outward to include new lines of inquiry in expanding the search.Given our growing reliance on technology in the workplace, a factor which has played its own part in the rise in corporate fraud, chances are that if fraud has been committed it most likely included the companies technical systems to one degree or another, and therefore these areas must be thoroughly searched for evidence of such activity. At this stage the investigative team will need to carefully comb through the electronic documents, and devices of those suspected of having a part in the incident. Here the investigation can become a bit strained as issues of privacy risk being breached, in retaliation to which the company could face lawsuits from those being investigated. This will require some discussion and deliberation on the part of the company’s risk management team to assess the dangers involved and determine the best course of action.

While this process can sometimes see quick results, more often than not it will be slow going and the company will have to be prepared to invest all the necessary time and effort required to see it through if they hope to avoid being dragged through the mud by government agencies when the real investigation begins. Those in charge of seeing these inquiries through should keep in mind that, while the costs of such an investigation will not be cheap, it will still be far most cost effective than the penalties that would be faced otherwise.

Charles Scott Cox
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Fraud Investigators –
Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures Pty Ltd

Code of Practice for CRIME (Custody, Rights, Investigation, Management and Evidence)

The Code of Practice for CRIME (Custody, Rights, Investigation, Management and Evidence) represents a major step towards improving the accountability of the NSW Police to the community it serves. It provides members of the community as well as members of the NSW Police with a succinct reference to the powers of police when investigating offences. More…

police.nsw.gov.au

Private Investigators –
Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures Pty Ltd

Surveillance and Counter Surveillance – How Do They Apply to Your Safety?

It is surprising how common it is for people to spy on each other. Sure, everyone has heard of the jealous wife or husband tapping the phone and the nanny cameras that have become so popular recently. There have also been countless new casts showing unsuspecting young women having their privacy violated by being recorded while changing or using a public restroom. As horrible as these things are, it only scratches the surface. People hear about only a fraction of the ways that people spy on each other in their private moments.

Surveillance is a huge concern in the corporate world as well. A security breach in a high powered company can mean the loss of bread on thousands of tables. Due to advances in technology sabotage is far simpler than it used to be. Now, not only are we open to being spied on in the conventional manner of wiretaps and video cameras, but in the last 10 years, the world has gone wireless. This has made it far easier to hide equipment that is also a great deal smaller than it was 10 years ago. Computers and cell phones are new concerns as well. Information can be exchanged anytime, anywhere, at lightning speed.

Fortunately, there are ways that people can protect themselves from these horrors. Counter surveillance is basically the art of avoiding being spied on. There are counter surveillance tools on the market that help protect the privacy of everyone from individuals to big business. Video cameras, computer programs and bug detectors are the most common and readily available.

Hidden Video Cameras

Video cameras can be very small and fit virtually anywhere. They will record the suspected spy and catch any phone conversations, meetings, and maintenance of surveillance equipment in the room. They can even be motion activated to avoid any unnecessary footage, and be viewed from a remote computer via email. Gone are the days of collecting video tapes or having to hire a guard to watch the monitor.

Use Computers for Safety

Computers can also be used in counter surveillance. There are programs out now that can record all computer activity. They can be set to take screen shots at certain intervals and save all chat logs and email. The wonderful thing about these programs is that they can be downloaded and controlled remotely from anywhere in the world. There is no reason to even go in the room with the computer you want to monitor.

Bug Detectors

Bug detectors are perhaps the most widely used and readily available counter surveillance tool. With the right one you can sweep the room for virtually any surveillance tool. Bug detectors are not only able to pick up the radio frequency put off by audio and video recorders, but they can now also pick up digital, Bluetooth, and GPS signals.

So, as scary as the world of surveillance is, there are ways to counter and prevent it. With the right knowledge and equipment, it is feasible for someone to be able to protect themselves from the risks associated with being spied on.

By Terrence Smithe
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

TSCM Debugging Investigation Specialists –
Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures Pty Ltd

Surveillance in a Workers Compensation Claim

Private investigators and surveillance equipment aren’t just in spy movies. There are many occasions during a legal claim that may require surveillance in order to validate an injured person’s statements and intentions. For example, if a person says that they suffer from severe back pain as a result of an on-the-job accident, but they are seen doing extensive work on their car in their driveway, they might be stretching the truth. Insurance companies and employers want to make sure that the claim is valid because they might stand to lose a lot of money and a good reputation if the injured worker is lying about their pain.

Workers compensation claims can be simple or complicated, and the length of time it takes to resolve the claim usually depends on its complexity. Employees injured on the job could be left dealing with the effects of the injuries for the rest of their lives in some cases. To help make up for the financial toll of a life-long impairment, workers’ compensation insurance carriers sometimes pay benefits according to the employee’s impairment rating or disability. These benefits are in addition to those that help offset lost wages and medical bills.

An injured worker’s claim for workers compensation can potentially be worth a lot of money. If the employee is truly injured, they may need every dime that is paid to them. But if the employee isn’t telling the truth about their injuries or pain, then the insurance company may become suspicious. High-value cases, whether they are based on truth or fiction, may alert the insurance company to pursue surveillance of the claimant.

Injured workers file a claim for benefits with their employer’s workers compensation insurance company. Because they have a serious interest in the claimant’s condition, the insurance company may be the party that hires the private investigator to conduct surveillance. Private investigators must be licensed by the state if they want to work in Florida. Additionally, Florida law states that someone can take your picture, but cannot record your voice, without your consent. So if you see a private investigator taking pictures of you as you work in your yard, they may be within their rights. If you have questions about your right to privacy, contact an attorney. There may be a thin line between surveillance and invasion of privacy, so understanding your legal rights is important.

If you are going through a workers compensation case, you may be under strict orders from your doctor not to do certain activities, such as bending or lifting. Make sure to follow these orders. The doctor’s professional advice helps you heal more quickly, but you need to follow their advice to help protect your claim as well. Even if you ignored the doctor’s orders briefly, it can be hard to argue with photographic evidence.

Beyond fighting for benefits, workers compensation claims can get complicated. If you are dealing with an at-work injury, contact an attorney. They may be able to help you understand the process and your rights.

By Wade Coye
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Surveillance Specialists –
Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures Pty Ltd

Crime Scene Procedures for Police Officers and Investigators

Police officers and investigators that work for law enforcement agencies in the nation must learn about crime scene procedures in order to be successful in their goals of aiding, serving, and protecting the public. The actions that take place during an investigation that involves a crime scene has the potential to play a vital role when it comes to the resolution of the case. No witnesses should be overlooked and all forms of evidence that are physical based must be considered and not tainted in any manner. While it is important to understand that policies and procedures will vary from one jurisdiction to another, there are many basic crime scene procedures that should take place when a crime has been attempted or performed against some type of property, an individual, or another living creature.

The Initial Response to a Crime Scene

The initial response that a police officer or an investigator makes to a crime scene is the most important aspect of the entire investigation that will take place to determine the details of the crime that has been committed. The crime scene must be preserved as much as possible with little to no contamination. Disturbing physical evidence that may be present at a crime scene could mean the difference between a case being solved and not being solved. The law enforcement officers that arrive on the scene must make many observations. It is important to see who is at the scene, events that are transpiring at the scene, any physical items that could be evidence and even the conditions surrounding the scene – such as weather conditions, how people are relating to each other, and other situations.

Ensuring Safety

The next step that law enforcement officers should indulge in is ensuring that all individuals that are in or around the crime scene are completely safe. In addition to this, it is important that the law enforcement response team guarantees that there is no immediate threat to the other emergency response personnel that may need to go in or around the scene of the crime that they are investigating. In the process of ensuring safety, it is important for police officers and investigators to determine if there is a need for emergency medical care. If the need is present, the professionals should administer that care until the appropriate individuals arrive – such as first responders, the fire department, or the paramedics.

Controlling the Movements of All Present

Once emergency care has been issued to those in need, the police officers and investigators must then control the movements of all of the individuals at the scene. The purpose and intent of this is to ensure that all responsible parties are held responsible for their actions and to conduct interviews and acquire statements from any and all people involved or those that witnessed the chain of events that occurred at the scene. Many officers focus on this aspect of the crime scene procedure in an effort to prevent vital evidence from being destroyed and/or removed. This is an important aspect of minimizing the loss and contamination of evidence and gathering additional pieces of information that will assist in solving the case.

The Evidence

While gathering evidence, there are many procedures that police officers and investigators may indulge in. First, the crime scene will be controlled through the means of distinguished boundaries. Second, individuals wishing to go in and out of the scene will be limited. Physical evidence will be marked. Physical identifiers such as shoe prints and fingerprints will be lifted, organized, and stored for the duration of the investigation. The collection, preservation, and the transport of evidence to the appropriate labs will be conducted and the concluding interviews with suspects, victims, and witnesses will be concluded. By indulging in these crime scene procedures, police officers, investigators, and other law enforcement personnel will be able to effectively resolve nearly one hundred percent of all cases.

By Aunesty Janssen
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Crime Scene Investigators –
Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures Pty Ltd