Examining all the issues you need to consider when deploying investigative tools under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), Covert Investigation is a highly practical and detailed guide to this confusing, ambiguous, and often controversial area of the law. Fully revised into two parts, the fourth edition of Covert Investigation sets the context for the moral management of covert investigations, and the statutory principles underpinning the availability and purpose of such a tool. There is discussion of the current authorization and governance framework, with particular emphasis on issues facing authorizing officers, as well as a focus on practical management issues from strategic and operational perspectives. The second part of the book concentrates on the statutory elements of covert investigations, addressing directed surveillance, intrusive surveillance, property interference, and surveillance through communications and the data it generates. There is also timely discussion of the use of covert human intelligence sources, especially the significant moral issues arising from relationship manipulation and privacy intrusion within the sphere of covert investigations. Altogether, the authors present clear and concise guidance to ensure that applications for covert investigations are made only in appropriate circumstances and that those investigations are undertaken with the utmost integrity. 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.