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Guide · 4 min read

What a surveillance report should include

The report is what you are paying for. It should be clear enough for you, precise enough for an attorney, and honest about what was and wasn't seen.

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  • Written byOur Nashville detectives
  • UpdatedOctober 25, 2026
  • Reading time4 minutes
  • Related serviceSurveillance
The short version
  • A good report has a minute-by-minute timeline tied to time-stamped video and photos.
  • It states facts, not conclusions, and records what was not observed.
  • The detective who wrote it should be available to explain it and testify.

The parts of a good report

  1. Case summary: who, what dates, and the question being answered.
  2. Timeline: each observation with time, location and description.
  3. Video and photos, time-stamped and organized to match the timeline.
  4. Vehicles and people identified, and how they were identified.
  5. Gaps: times the subject was out of view, and why.
  6. The investigator’s name and contact information.

Facts, not conclusions

A report should say “the subject and an unidentified woman entered the hotel at 7:42 p.m. and left together at 10:15 p.m.,” not “the subject had an affair.” Conclusions are for you, your attorney and the court.

In court

Attorneys use reports in negotiations and hearings, and detectives often testify about what they personally observed. A report that is precise and honest about its limits holds up better under cross-examination. See our surveillance services.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different; talk to a Tennessee attorney about your case. Last reviewed October 25, 2026.

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How we can help

Licensed Tennessee private detectives, lawful methods, and reports written for the people who will read them.

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Quick answers

Common questions

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Is a private investigator’s report admissible in court?

The judge decides admissibility. Detectives often testify about what they personally observed, using the report and video.

Do I get the raw video?

Yes. We provide organized, time-stamped video and photos along with the written report.

Talk it through with a detective.

Confidential, no-pressure. We’ll tell you honestly whether a detective is worth it for your situation.

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