Handy hints if contemplating a career in crime

I sometimes despair of the quality, the calibre, of our up-and-coming young criminals, Dear Reader.

Case in point, just the other day I was doing one of those jobs I really hate doing but occasionally it helps pay the bills: repossessions.

And it wasn't a vehicular repo, which generally go smoothly, but household chattels.

Which generally don't.

And this wasn't an exception.

Handy Surveillance Rule-of-Thumb

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So, every now and again one topic again arises, Dear Reader, in regards to carrying out surveillance.

Usually, the scenario goes something like this: Douchebag Client wants X hours surveillance on the Subject. The Subject's home address is known, little else is. Douchebag Client instructs you to obtain video/photographic evidence of said Subject's escapades and expects you to put in 12+ hour days surveilling him/her.

Alone.  

So here is my handy rule-of-thumb in regards to the above scenario:

Where There's Smoke

I am developing an interest in learning more about the basics of fire investigations.

Normally, my role in an insurance investigation into a claim arising from a fire is merely that of liaising with the Fire Service and Police (where necessary) and a Cause and Origin expert if one is called in.

I do not investigate the actual fire, per se, rather the factors that have contributed towards the event and whether there is any liability resting on the insured, or the occupant. 

However, I've picked up a few tips from Pedro and others over time so am not completely clueless when looking at the burnt-out remains of a house or vehicle.

I just would like to know more.

Every Day Carry

You might recall a couple of posts some time ago, Dear Reader, where I detailed the contents of my pockets, and then later also my bag.

This was partly inspired by, and in response to, a series of posts at Pursuit Magazine, and also a series of similar articles in Foreign Policy magazine.

Little did I know at the time, that there is a whole movement out there devoted to documenting the contents of pockets, worldwide. And, naturally, this phenomenon even is deserving of its own three-letter acronym: EDC.

Every Day Carry.