“CASING”

SUBJECT DESCRIPTION
• Clandestine Operations which is planned
for the purpose of collecting information
in the most discreet way without
unnecessary compromise.

• “CASING” plays an important role in

clandestine operations.
DEFINITION OF CASING

•Casing as defined in the dictionary

means something that encloses.

• In clandestine organization it is
defined as visual inspection of an area
or installation to determine its
suitability for clandestine operations.
NATURE AND CONSIDERATIONS IN CASING

Casing is an essential
preparatory step to the
conduct of almost every
type target of clandestine
ops such as:

Personal Meeting (PM)

NATURE AND CONSIDERATIONS IN CASING
Brush Pass Operation Brief Encounter
NATURE AND CONSIDERATIONS IN
CASING

Building Warehouse
NATURE AND CONSIDERATIONS IN
CASING

Office
Residential
NATURE AND CONSIDERATIONS IN CASING

The risk posed by the

compromise of this kind of
activity will either mean
the downfall of the
personnel career or will
mean his life.
NATURE AND CONSIDERATIONS IN CASING

One of the aspects of

operational security in the
conduct of Casing is the
cover which they are going to
use – cover for status and
cover for action.
Cover as an Aspect of Operational Security
in the conduct of Casing

Cover for Status – cover used by the

agent or operator, which allows him
to use other kinds of personality
other than his own identity
Cover as an Aspect of Operational Security
in the conduct of Casing

Cover for Action – this is the

circumstance that justifies the
presence of the operator on the
operational site and for every action
that he undertakes while in the
operational site
PRIOR TO CASING
•Determine that a specific need exists and
what information must be obtained.
• Exhaust other available sources of
information, overt and covert. The study
maps/sketches/photos, etc.
• Develop a systematic and logical plan which
will help accomplish the task in the most
efficient and secure manner possible.
 DURING CASING
The following must be done during Casing:
1. Act naturally and in accord with
cover, keeping cover story constantly in
mind
2. Make measurement and notes
without drawing attention
3. Get all possible information on the
first visit to the area in order to avoid
repeated visits
CONDUCT OF CASING

Phases in Casing:

Set first an idea on the General

Area which surrounds the site
and the Specific Area that is the
site itself.
CONDUCT OF CASING
Phases in Casing:
Become familiar with the
General Area by assessing
the following:
Traffic pattern
Infiltration
Exfiltration routes
Choke point
Security (CCTV)
 CONDUCT OF CASING
• Repeated visits on the site are not always or secured
since counter surveillance from the enemy should
always be taken into consideration

• Every detail of the operational site should included in

the planning stage of the conduct of operation

• If a team is casing the site, divide and case the site in

a circle, that way each team member can see the
other's weak points and if someone is pulling counter-
surveillance
CONDUCT OF CASING
• Knowledge of specifics will greatly
simplify the casing process and allow the
selection of a site of maximum suitability.
• Use technical aids such as:
- Camera (for visual recording)
- Recorders ( to records details)
- Magnets (to test the suitability of
potential dead drop sites)
CONDUCT OF CASING

Camera is the essential tool

for casing and it is considered
as the minimum tool
requirement for the conduct
of CASING.
 General Details in the Conduct of Casing include
the following:

• Area Description

- Business, residential , slum, rural, etc.

- major buildings and installations

• Area Characteristics
- communication facilities
- when are there crowds, when is the place deserted.
- when do establishments open or close
General Details in the Conduct of Casing include
the following:

• Weather Conditions
-determine possible weather condition when
planned operational activity is to be
conducted.
-weather will affect infiltration and exfiltration
of personnel and will affect visibility and
mobility
General Details in the Conduct of Casing include
the following:

• Weather Conditions
-determine possible weather condition when
planned operational activity is to be
conducted.
-weather will affect infiltration and exfiltration
of personnel and will affect visibility and
mobility
General Details in the Conduct of Casing include
the following:

• Access to the Area

- routes that lead to and from the area
- choke points
- types of vehicles (public or private) that
are accessible to the area, cost of
transportation, etc.
- Flow of traffic on certain times of the
day
General Details in the Conduct of Casing include
the following:

• Police and Security Forces in the

Area
- private security guards, police
outpost, their locations
- routine activities e.g. stationary, foot
and vehicular patrols, etc.
Specific Details
• Specific Description of Operational Area

Floor plan, dimension of the floor area, vertical

clearances, arrangement of equipment, location
of comfort rooms safety outlets, switches,
water facilities, telephone number, gates and
doorway, staircases, and the prevalent
atmosphere in the specific area
Specific Details

• Limitations
If public establishment, determine
opening and closing, peak and lean
hours, customers, menu, entrance and
exits, prices, restrooms, telephones, etc.
 REMINDERS
Always have an escape plan
 

Be aware of your surroundings.

Assumption will lead you to failure.
Always have a backup plan.
Never get caught.
Keep your mouth shut.
 REMINDERS
  •Keep comms with TOC and with each other
•PEOPLE: Once is an accident; twice is a
coincidence; three times is an enemy action. Report
(if possible take pics) people you think you saw
before
•2, 3, 4 or more people on a location not really doing
anything is bad.
•Trust your gut.
•Plan, execute and vanish.
 

“There’s nothing wrong with staying small.

You can do big things with a small team”