Abstract
The third edition of Covert Investigation continues to provide a practical, straightforward guide for anyone working in the area of covert investigation. This edition is updated to include significant amendments to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 brought about by the Police and Crime Act 2009, as well as revisions to the Codes of Practice. Also included are discussions reflecting the considerations of Parliamentary and Home Office reviews of surveillance practice and law: reviews undertaken in response to practitioner concerns about the RIPA authority regime and wider public concerns about an emerging surveillance society. The book contains all the relevant legislation, codes of practice and case-law relating to covert investigation methods and examines the issues that investigators need to consider when deploying such investigative tools, concentrating on the full implications of RIPA with regards to daily, routine policing activity. The authors consider each different aspect of covert investigation in turn, discussing statutory provision and introducing case law alongside investigation management issues. It successfully demystifies an area of investigation and enforcement that has hitherto been poorly understood. It is intended to assist those planning and supervising investigations and those with a statutory obligation to sanction applications for authorised covert investigation or withhold such authority. It will help officers improve the quality of RIPA applications and ensure that applications for cover investigation are made only in appropriate circumstances. In particular, the third edition looks at incontrovertible evidence, the strict statutory and procedural frameworks governing collection of such evidence, and how to minimize the risk of unwitting abuse of these powers and procedures which can lead to technical acquittals and procedural challenges at court. The book forms part of the Blackstone's Practical Policing Series. The series, aimed at junior to middle ranking officers, consists of practical guides containing clear and detailed explanations of the relevant legislation and practice, accompanied by case studies, illustrative diagrams and useful checklists.