LARGE AREA OBSERVATION

I had the opportunity recently to sit as an observer / spectator in a local court. The theater was laid out like most venues that demand your attention, stages-churches-school rooms, all made to sit facing front and upright. So of course like an sly audience member trying to catch the magicians misdirection. I did what I usually do, I watched the other hand, I watched every one else. It was interesting to see how the parties involved "Players" put on their best VICTIM or INNOCENT face, each trying to tell their story before ever opening their mouths, each setting the stage/tone/mood to interested onlookers. A very different group from the ones that were just moments ago standing outside in the parking lot smoking and laughing with the support of their family and friends.
The cold, indifferent attitude of the court officers told the story. These veterans had seen the acts before and knew how to remain separated from the emotionally charged parade. I used it as a training exorcise, as usual watching the watchers and studied how they did their job.
Principles of area / group observation.

All The World's A Stage.
Start with the most advantageous viewing spots. These are not the high ground vantage points, looking down on the crowd. That might be alright for a prison exorcise yard, here you need to see faces and the sooner the better. Security needs to be intimate with the area and how it is used by the crowd/group using it or passing through it. In this way subjects stalling or loitering will stand out. People with an agenda are likely to scan the environment. This is an important qualifier, as is pacing, constantly searching of ones clothes/bags. These individuals don't fit in. Their bodies are in conflict with the norm some how and they may walk or move differently, or seem overly alert. These may be stall techniques to give the subject time to reconnoiter the area and time his approach, choose his line, locate cameras, security procedures or even you.
large area observation requires the security professional to be even more vigilant then if watching a single subject. The challenges are based more on speed and ability to scan and qualify quickly then long term scrutiny.

Like the group outside that court room, there is a "transition" thoroughfare, a point where the curtain opens and the act begins. To hold such an act and remain convincing is taxing, hard to do for any real length of time before a bit of ones true face cracks through the facade. This is why most interrogators work for hours upon hours to tire the subject until he "cracks", opens a bit of his true self that the interviewer can peel away to get to the truth. Detecting these players before they arrive at that thoroughfare is critical. Like a nervous teen on his first date checking his hair before his date answers the door, there is a moment where the "Tell" is detectable. A time when the subject goes from who he is to who he wants you to think he is. This is his Poker/Game face.

Structured crowds/groups such as those in line at an airport terminal or sports arena are concentrated or "herded" into a choke point so these groups may be a bit easier to scrutinize. Your best area to begin is the end of the line, the space between the door and the perceived end of the waiting area. Subjects of security concern will be most at ease here and will reveal much more of themselves. The act only intensifies the closer they get to the point of challenge be it a ticket window, check in or security cordon. Having a form of stimuli for the subject to react to is good here. It gives security an opportunity to watch subjects as they prepare for the show. An astute watcher will see the signs. I have heard them referred to as "Micro expressions" or "Body indicators" even "Stress signals", I call them "Tells".

Random crowds or groups such as those at malls, concerts or out door venues are harder to cover and will need multiple watchers. The Secret Service has mastered the science of watching from within the crowd. They blend in with subjects of interest and discretely indicate whom within the group is suspect. At that point a uniform will appear to remove or question the subject of interest. It can be difficult to cull through such a group and only time and practice will make you an effective crowd watcher.

Body language is key, as is eye contact. You should note that in this country at least, most people do not make eye contact with strangers unless they need to. It is my experience that the only people that you will catch and hold eye contact with will be subjects that are doing a reconnoiter like you. It could be another person in the security industry or a potential perpetrator. This is the primary reason most protection teams such as the US Secret Service ware sunglasses even on over cast days. It keeps them from making eye contact with others.

Actors often over act. You can see them shift the level of performance as they "present". Some are ultra cool and go over board to seem relaxed. It is a tell when anyone is so relaxed in a strange environment, they stick out. Conversely individuals that seem uptight are almost always worth a second look. Again watch how people scrutinize security staff or anybody in uniform for that matter. There is a difference between those that see and those that are watching.
Watch all the time, at work of course but watch as you mow the lawn, shop, wait at a red light etc.

learning to watch groups that cooperate and comply. What do they do that tells you they fit in and belong. Study the majority that belong and those that don't will be evident.

I once asked a bank president how many types of counterfeit bills he needed to see to learn what makes a good forgery. He summed it up nicely by pointing out that he only studied the real thing, nothing else mattered. The fakes will always stick out.

RJ MOSCA