Surveillance Conference Overview

Surveillance Conference Overview

COPYRIGHT (C) 1991 BY FULL DISCLOSURE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The National Technical Investigators Association (NATIA) held their 5th annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, August 26th-31th.

Participation in the conference was 600 attendees up from 500 last year. However, there was a conspicuous lack of people from the military intelligence community.

As usual with government related electronic surveillance operations, techniques, equipment, etc, secrecy prevails. Due to efforts by Full Disclosure, the San Antonio area media was informed about the show. They, however, were all turned away at the gate. The result being no local press coverage occured.

NATIA is an organization of over 2300 supervisory law enforcement officers, communications and security managers assigned to support technical investigative activities in the major federal, state and local enforcement and intelligence agencies.

The NATIA membership is responsible for supplying all of the various communications, audio, video, photographic, specialized electronic systems and investigative aids used in support of these sensitive bugging, wiretapping and intelligence activities.

The annual conference is used by manufactures of spy equipment to introduce their new wares and sell more of the old stuff and for members to learn all the newest tricks, scams and techniques.

Consequently, NATIA and its membership has a sigificant role in domestic spying activities. NATIA's role not only includes the equipment, but standards, operations, techniques, tricks, and the like. Such activities are purportely regulated and overseen by the public, through Congress, by the political process.

Any effective oversight or regulation requires information; information that NATIA desires to suppress from the American public. The First Amendment, however, assures that the public will be informed. Full Disclosure was able to obtain many documents at the show and the essential information content will be presented in this and future issues. Articles based upon show information will be indiciated as such.

The desire to suppress this information is so great, that due to Full Disclosure's publication of the 1989 NATIA conference exhibitors directory, there was no directory made for 1990. (The essential information content from the show schedule is presented below).

Not only was NATIA furious over the publication of the exhibitors directory, but also over the fact that several hundred copies of the issue with the directory were distributed on the show floor.

What was the atmosphere of show? At night, some members, partied like motorcycle gang members. During the day, however, it was strictly business. The following is an overview of the technical and management seminars that were held. Contact addresses have been provided by Full Disclosure and were not a part of NATIA literature.

``Future Telephone Technology'' by Bruce Becker, Central Telephone. Telephone technology is rapidly changing. With new systems, features and technologies on the way. This class will discuss what's on the horizon in the telephone industry.

``Law Enforcement and FCC Rules and Regulations'' by Arlan Van Doorn, FCC, Deputy Chief, Field Operations (202) 632-7200. Find out what the rules are. What's new, what's changed, what's the same. Is that video transmitter you're using legal? [Ed note: if not, does the exclusionary rule or fruit of a poisonous tree doctrine apply?]

``2.4Ghz Video Transmission'' by Michael McDowell, Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The FCC has recently allocated State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies frequencies for low power video transmission. Learn what equipment is available and how to put together a 2.4 Ghz video transmission system with off the shelf parts.

``Countermeasures: Technical Surveillance Counter Measures'' By Clyde Widrig, Los Angeles, Police Department. What is being found during TSCM sweeps? Learn about this, the basics of doing a sweep, and what equipment you will need.

``Telephone Technology Panel'' The panel will discuss the impact on law enforcement of new technologies (ISDN, CLASS, Etc.), systems and features, coming soon to a telephone near you. Discussion will include the need for NATIA to help set standards for intercept equipment.

``Covert Entry Planning'' by Jim Moss, U.S. Customs, 40 S Gay St, #424, Baltimore, MD 21202. Covert entry planning offers the agent valuable tips on setting up the mechanics, legal, and security aspects of surreptitious entries. This class could mean the difference between a successful entry and a possible tragedy.

``Digital Recording And Audio Processing'' By Attila Mathie, Adaptive Digital Systems. An audio recorder with no moving parts? See it and get the latest information on digital recording and audio processing.

``Managing Technical Operations'' by Anthony Bocchiccio, Drug Enforcement Administration. Aimed at the management, this class is intended to give you the knowledge of what it takes to run a technical section. Instruction will include managing resources, personnel, and equipment.

``R-F Spread Spectrum Techniques'' by Stan Causey, DC Metro Police. Spread Spectrum transmission is an area of rapid development. With many new systems either in the works or already here, this class will bring you up to date.

``Seizing Personal Computers and Data Recovery'' by Ken Scales, IRS, Criminal Investigative Division. Everywhere you look today there are PC's (personal computers). What do you do when you seize one? Just turning it on may cost you some very valuable data. Learn what to do, not to do, and who to contact for help.

``Member Equipment and Technique Exchange Forum'' Do you have any new ideas, tips, techniques, tricks or equipment? This is the place to bring them. Share all of this valuable information with your fellow members in this open forum.

``Video Operations'' By Jack Tuckish, Naval Investigative Service. How to get the most from your covert video operations. This class will teach packaging techniques, camera placements, tips, tricks, etc.

``Night Vision Critique.'' Instruction will be given in interfacing night vision equipment to 35mm and video cameras. Additionally you will learn about specifications, uses and limitations of the different types of night vision equipment. If available slides taken at the night vision demo will be shown.

``Computer Crimes.'' By Frank Milligan, IRS. People are gaining illegal access to computer data bases, bank accounts, etc. Who are these hackers, how are they getting in, and what can be done to stop them.

``Asset Seizure And Property Management.'' By Richard Harris, California, Department of Justice. Is there more to Asset Seizure than property, weapons and cash? This class will offer an overview on asset seizure and focus on seizing equipment that can be used to aid law enforcement. Items such as computers, communications gear and alarm equipment are being seized and used.

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