GPS Tracking in Charleston, SC

Tracker Investigations, LLC often receives requests to place GPS tracking devices (Global Positioning System) on privately owned vehicles for a wide variety of reasons including; Adultery-Cheating Spouse-Infidelity Cases, child custody, and for concerned parents who want to know their child’s activities. Modern GPS devices can be useful for gathering information about where someone is, or for establishing a history of where they’ve been. It is a very useful TOOL depending upon the goal, it’s use, and what you are trying to achieve.

What GPS can do:
There are two types of GPS tracking systems, active systems and passive systems. An active system is one that provides real time, or very close to real time information via the internet regarding the whereabouts of the GPS unit. This system is ideal for following someone who might suspect they are under surveillance because you don’t have to be in sight. Our investigators use an active GPS system in the Charleston, SC area.

Passive systems do not provide real time data. They are placed on the vehicle for a period of time; then the device is recovered and the data is downloaded from the unit. This system works great if you want general information about where the subject or the subject’s vehicle has been over a period of time. One application would be determining where someone is working or residing.

GPS Limitations:
GPS tracking is a wonderful tool to find out where the vehicle is, but that’s all it does. For example, a GPS tracker will tell you the vehicle is now in the parking lot behind 142 E Main Street, next to the dumpster and has been there for 22 minutes. If you need to know what the driver is actually doing and who they are meeting there, an experienced surveillance investigator needs to be there too, to document the meeting with video.

The most important consideration for deciding whether or not a GPS device can be used in an investigation is: who owns the vehicle the GPS will be placed on? In South Carolina, it is unlawful track the location of a motor vehicle with a tracking device without the knowledge and consent of either the owner or the authorized operator of the motor vehicle.

At the end of the day, GPS tracking systems are just another tool in a good investigator’s tool box. Like a good camera, digital recorder or your trusty binoculars, sometimes it’s the right tool for the job!

Charleston Private Investigator

Tracker Investigations, LLC, covers Charleston, SC, including Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, James Island, Summerville, and surrounding areas. We handle all types of surveillance cases and specialize in Adultery-Cheating Spouse-Infidelity Investigations.