Guides · Written by Robert Bevis, Illinois licensed private detective · Updated October 31, 2026
Surveillance report template
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT — SURVEILLANCE Client: ____________ File / Claim #: ____________ Subject: ____________ Date(s) of Surveillance: ____________ Investigator: ____________ Report Date: ____________ REPORTED FACTS OF LOSS (Present tense: what the Client reported.) INVESTIGATION OBJECTIVES 1. ____________ PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION (Database checks, residence and vehicle confirmation.) SUMMARY (Write last: a short overview of the results.) DETAILS [Day, Date] [Time] — [Observation, past tense, physical movements] (PHOTO #n) ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS (Further investigation only.) ATTACHMENTS Photo log · Video log · Time and expense sheet
SIU / general investigation template
SIU reports are organized by activity rather than strictly by time. Use a captioned section for each:
ADMINISTRATIVE HEADER SUMMARY INTERVIEW OF [NAME] Date, time, location, persons present, recorded (Y/N). Statement summary. BACKGROUND CHECK AT [LOCATION / SOURCE] What was searched, what was found. RECORDS CHECK Agency, record, result. SCENE EXAMINATION PHOTOGRAPHS See photo log. RECOMMENDATIONS
Photo log template
| Photo # | Date / time | Location | Caption |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/27/2026 8:15 A.M. | Front of residence, 123 Main St. | Subject entering the driver's seat of the Ford F-150 |
| 2 | 10/27/2026 9:02 A.M. | Home improvement store lot | Subject lifting a bag of mulch into the truck bed with both hands |
Filling the template automatically
In PIwitness, the header fills from the case, the details come from your time-stamped field notes, the photo log numbers itself, and the time and expense sheet comes from Time & Billing. Export to PDF or Word with your letterhead.
Frequently asked questions
Is this template free to use?
Yes. Copy and adapt it for your agency's reports.
What's the difference between a surveillance and an SIU report?
A surveillance report is a chronological narrative of what you observed. An SIU report is organized in captioned sections by investigative activity: interviews, background checks, records and scene work.