Observation training – OBSO1 a must for every novice observer
Observation training to learn everything the right way. The tasks of an observer are to prepare observation actions (reconnaissance), dynamic observation in vehicles, on foot and in public transport. It doesn't stop there, because of course it is also important to report all actions correctly. All this makes the observer the most important player in the game of chess to research† In short, a great responsibility!
Our Observation Basic Training 1 (OBSO1) contains all the basic observation techniques you need to operate professionally in the field. With and without a team based on the latest methods.
Even more importantly, it has been shown that people who succeed (because that is not self-evident) are immediately regarded as fully-fledged observers with experience in practice. In fact, there are OBSO1 candidates who have learned so much that they are among the best observers in the private sector and are even in demand by governments.
'Real life' practice observation training
This OBSO1 observation training is tough and quite a lot is asked of the candidates in terms of (mental) commitment. The entire process takes no less than a month. However, no specific previous education is required for this training. The costs are of course something to think about but of course they are there because you have 6 days external sit to learn.
Many investigative & security companies at home and abroad make this observation training mandatory before fieldwork can be done. This training is also often done by social investigators from municipalities and even government institutions. Each observation training is given by professionals who have also been active in the field for years.
An insight into the OBSO1
Of course it is all too much to name what you will learn in the OBSO1 and we also do not want to give you too much reading material, but briefly summarized below.
The observation training usually starts on or around the 2nd day of a month, you receive digital summary information and a case file that you will investigate together with your team (the other candidates). Of course, a team meeting on this day is part of it, luckily it is digital.
Then comes three weeks of ignorance. It must be investigated. Where do you start? What will you discover? Apart from all your own efforts, there are only four (observation) moments of +/- 4 hours each in which your team (based on availability of course) will actually go on an observation path to observe certain things that are necessary to successfully start the practical part. Because yes, if you do not have enough information, starting the practice involves quite a lot of stress and little sleep.
The time spent in the preparation phase is therefore entirely up to the team itself in terms of commitment, but will contain at least 16 hours of observation time during +/- 3 weeks. Which days those are is partly provided in the information and the rest is up to your research.
This phase is followed by a theory day in which the entire preparation phase is explained what went wrong and of course the necessary theory about how everything should and work. Subsequently, the practice starts where you will sleep externally (hopefully) which runs from Thursday to Tuesday/Wednesday, 24 hours a day, continuously investigating and finalizing the case file.
The case being investigated is real-life which means that it is a 'real' case with 'real' subjects, in short everything is and feels like it is 'real' but everything has been carefully thought out and planned.