There are two types of body armor – soft body armor, which is used in regular bullet and stab proof vests, and hard armor, which is rigid, reinforced body armor, and is used in high risk situations by police tactical units and combat soldiers.

A piece of body armor will traditionally be made up of two sections – the outer carrier, and the soft armor inner protective panels. It is important to remember that a carrier without any type of protective panels contained within it will not provide any protection against ballistic, stab or spike attacks.

The outer carrier can be made from a range of materials, and can be available in a range of colors, depending on the users requirements. The soft armor protective panels that are placed within the carrier will provide the protection offered by the body armor, and are normally light weight and flexible. These protective panels are available in a range of levels, and can be designed to defeat a variety of threats.

When a higher level of protection is required then hard armor can also be used in addition to the normal soft armor panels. Hard armor is available in a range of sizes, and can be worn in front of soft armor in specially made pockets on the outer carrier, or in separate hard armor carriers.

A Brief History Of Body Armor

There have been many different forms of body armor in use throughout history. The ancient Greeks used body armor to protect their soldiers, as did the Roman Legions, with examples of their body armor being found that date back to as early as 1400 BC. Around the year 500 BC chain-mail body armor was invented, which provided the wearer with a higher level of protection against attack than previous types of body armor. Made from thousands of iron rings that were linked together, it created a flexible, mesh like barrier that provided a high level of protection against weapons such as spears and swords. It was highly effective against the weapons of the era, but over time chain-mail was improved by adding metal armor plates to provide a higher level of protection for vulnerable parts of the body. Gradually these pieces of plate armor became bigger and more effective, and eventually replaced chain-mail as the main type of body armor that was used by armies around the world.

The introduction of firearms led to developments in the production of body armor, as plate armor was ineffective against high velocity projectiles. This led to the development of heavy duty types of plate armor, which provided a higher level of protection for the wearer, but was also heavier and more restrictive than earlier types of body armor The use of plate armor declined during the 18^th century, as the development in firearms again meant that only the most expensive and heavy types of body armor could provide reliable protection against them. However during the early 20^th century some types of plate armor became popular again with many countries, especially as it proved effective at stopping pieces of shrapnel that often proved deadly on the battlefield. Several countries used different forms of plate armor in both World War I and II, and traditional types of plate armor were worn by U.S. Foot soldiers as late as the Korean and Vietnamese wars.

The biggest development for body armor was in the late 1960′s, when DuPont™ began development of their para-aramid fiber Kevlar®. Lightweight and incredibly strong, Kevlar® allowed manufacturers to develop personal types of body armor that could be worn comfortably for long periods of time, and that also provided protection that could not be matched by any previous forms of body armor Over time other companies also developed their own types of body armor using a variety of revolutionary materials, meaning that body armor become both widely available and also affordable for the first time in history.

Body armor was traditionally used to protect soldiers and military personnel, however the last 25 years has seen an increase in the use of body armor to provide protection for police officers, security guards, door supervisors, ship crew and many others. The increase in gun and knife crime around the world means the use of body armor is now essential in many industries, and rapid developments in body armor means it can now provide a high level of protection against a broad range of day to day threats.

The introduction of lightweight personal body armor means that it’s now commonplace in many industries that previously would not have used body armor For example the increase in sea piracy has led to many shipping companies purchasing pieces of body armor for their crew members, in an effort to provide them with protection against the increased threats that they now face.

Body Armor Designs

Bullet and stab proof vests are generally made to be either covert or overt. A covert bullet proof vest is designed to be worn under clothes, and will often come in light colors They are normally thinner than overt types of bullet proof vests, as they are designed to be invisible when worn under clothes. Overt designs of bullet proof vests are made to be worn over clothes, and are normally produced in dark colors Generally they are made from rugged, hard wearing materials, and will often feature pockets and straps that can be used by the wearer.

It should also be noted that some bullet proof vests can be worn under or over clothes, these are known as covert / overt vests.

The vest carriers of bullet proof vests are designed in a wide range of styles, and are often customized for different uses. For example ambulance staff will have body armor in high visibility covers, and military personnel will have additional neck, groin and arm protection attached to their bullet proof vests. The broad range of covers and accessories available means bullet proof vests can be designed to almost any specification required.

Protection Levels

The protection standards used for body armor will vary from country to country, with many having their own specific tests and standards. However the tests performed by the American NIJ (National Institute of Justice) and the UK HOSDB (Home Office Scientific Development Branch) are considered to be the model standards for body armor around the world, and most countries will recognize the protection levels offered by a piece of body armor that is certified by either of these agencies.

The NIJ are considered to be the industry leaders in ballistic testing methods for body armor, and the HOSDB’s stab and spike tests are thought to be the worlds best. The NIJ and the HOSDB work in conjunction with each other on their testing methods, and a piece of body armor that passes NIJ standards will also pass the equivalent HOSDB standard.

Body armor is designed to protect against 3 broad types of threats – bullet, stab and spike. The protection offered by a piece of body armor will depend on how it is designed. For example some pieces of body armor will provide protection from just ballistic threats, while others will provide protection against bullet and stab attacks, or even bullet, stab and spike based threats.

Each piece of body armor will be clearly labeled with the protection that it provides. The higher the number on the protection, the higher the level of protection it will offer. For example a bullet proof vest that has NIJ Level IIIa protection will provide a higher level of protection than a bullet proof vest with NIJ Level II protection . Please see our protection levels section for more details.

Body Armor Sizing

Body armor comes in a full range of sizes, from small to 5XL. The larger the size, the wider the protective panels of the bullet proof vest will be. Body armor is also designed in different lengths – short, regular and long. A normal piece of body armor is designed to protect only the wearers vital organs, and should reach to the navel area. We recommend that anyone under 5’5 orders a short vest, between 5’6 and 5’11 a regular length vest, and over 6′ a long vest.

Body armor is made in the same way as normal clothing when it comes to sizing. For example a 5’10 man with a 38-40 inch chest and 32-34 inch waist will wear a medium t-shirt, and also a medium, regular length bullet proof vest.

How Does Body Armor Work?

Bullet proof vests

Bullet proof vests are designed to stop a bullet from penetrating them and causing harm to the wearer. They are made up a many layers of incredibly strong fibers, which when hit act as a net that essentially catches the bullet, and prevents it from traveling any further. Each layer twists as the bullet passes through, creating a stronger barrier and slowing the bullet until it comes to a complete stop. This process deforms the bullet, flattening it into a dish shape, and the force of the impact is spread over a large portion of the bullet proof vest.

Obviously the impact of a bullet is massive, and while the bullet proof vest will stop the penetration of the bullet, both the bullet proof vest and the wearer will still absorb the bullets energy. The impact of the bullet may be enough to cause what is known as “blunt force trauma” to the wearer at the impact point. As a bullet proof vest is not solid the bullet will not instantly be stopped by it, it will travel through the vest but not actually penetrate it completely. This means the wearer will still feel the impact of the bullet on their body, and while the blunt force trauma of the bullet will undoubtedly be painful, it should also not be life threatening

Bullet proof vests come in several levels of protection, and are designed to resist most common law and medium energy handgun rounds. If the wearer requires protection against rifle rounds then rigid, hard armor can also be used in conjunction with their bullet proof vest. Hard armor is generally made from ceramics, metal or a combination of both, and are worn in front of the panels on the bullet proof vest. However these plates tend to be heavy and bulky, and so they are generally used only when required in high risk situations.

It is very important to remember that a bullet proof vest is only bullet proof when it contains ballistic panels. A bullet proof vest without ballistic panels is simply a vest, the outer vest cover does not provide any ballistic protection on its own.

The ballistic panels themselves are made in different ways, depending on the individual manufacturer. Some may use a single type of material such as DuPont™ Kevlar®, whilst others may use multiple materials in their construction. The more protection a bullet proof vest offers, the more it will weigh. This is because it will contain more layers of protective material, and some manufacturers will add layers of non-ballistic materials in order to provide additional blunt trauma protection. Because of the different methods of construction used by different manufacturers it is impossible to compare individual ballistic plates, however it is important to note that whilst they may be constructed differently, they all need to pass the same safety checks before they can be sold.

Stab and spike proof vests

A traditional bullet proof vest will provide little to no resistance to an attack from a knife or stabbing instrument, as the fibers that are designed to “catch” the bullet can not disperse the energy of a concentrated stab or spike attack.

Stab and spike proof vests are constructed differently to bullet proof vests, in order to offer resistance to these types of attack. A knife tip will penetrate fabric, which then allows the rest of the cutting surface to rip through the material. A pointed weapon, such as a needle or syringe, will not actually damage the material, rather the point will push through the weave of the fabric and allow the rest of it to follow.

Stab and spike proof vests are made up of materials with a very tight laminated weave, as this prevents threats from piercing the fabric and causing damage. Stab and spike proof vests can be made from tightly woven, heavy duty nylon, however recent trends have led to an increase in multi-threat Kevlar® vests, which offer protection from bullet and stab threats, whilst others offer bullet, stab and spike protection.

It is important to note that not every stab resistant vest will also offer spike protection. If you are going to face spike based threats please ensure you select a vest with additional spike protection.

Body Armor User Guide

What your body armor is NOT

Please be aware that body armor is NOT designed to provide 100% protection against every conceivable threat. Your body armor will provide protection up to its stated levels, so always ensure that you have the correct level of protection for the threats you could face.

Body Armor Maintenance

Cleaning

Body armor should be cleaned straight after wearing using a weak liquid detergent and warm water. Sponge the vest cover, do not immerse the vest in water as this could damage the panels. Do not dry in direct sunlight.

Storage

Body armor should be stored flat when not in use . This will stop creases and wrinkles forming in the ballistic materials.

Washing

Do not wash the Kevlar® inserts, as this could cause damage to the ballistic fibers If required they can be lightly sponged with warm, soapy water. The covers are made from various materials and the washing instructions should be followed.

Damage

Body armor should be visually inspected for damage or excessive wear every time it is worn. Never wear body armor that is damaged in anyway.

Inserting Protective Panels

Bullet, stab and spike proof vests are designed to be worn in a specific direction. It is important that you ensure the ballistic panels within your vest carrier are facing the correct direction at all times. When a bullet strikes a bullet proof vest its impact is absorbed by the many layers of fabric within 3 nanoseconds, caught, and prevented from passing through the vest itself. However this method of stopping a bullet is directional, which means that it works only when the panels are facing in the correct direction. If the panel is facing the wrong way then the web of fibers becomes practically useless, and leaves the wearer open to serious threat.

The same applies to stab and spike proof vests. If the protective panel is facing the wrong way it becomes easier for pointed objects to pass through, as they are not designed to protect against threats from that direction.

All protective panels are clearly marked with the direction they are intended to be worn, and it is important that the wearer ensures they are aware of this at all times. If you remove your vests panels in order to wash the outer carrier then always pay attention when putting the vest back together, and ensure that when the panels are reinserted they are facing the correct direction.

Adjustment

Most bullet proof vests are adjustable at the waist in order to provide the wearer with a well fitted, comfortable vest. Armour should not be worn too tightly as this may increase body heat and restrict movement.

Effects of water and sweat on body armor

The armor we sell is made from aramid fibers and these will lose some of their protective properties if they are totally immersed in water for a long period of time, however this will only be temporary until the armor has dried out. Our body armor will not be affected by rain or sweat.

This article was provided courtesy of SafeGuard ARMOR™. SafeGuard ARMOR™ has been operating for 25 years, selling our body armor to thousands of individuals and companies across the world. Started in 1986, we have grown from a small operation selling bullet proof vests to local companies, to the worldwide leader in body armor. We now manufacture our body armor in the U.S. and Europe, and have multiple distribution points around the world.

SafeGuard ARMOR™ LLC
1925 Timberline Road N19
Fort Collins, CO 80525
(970) 626-6038
info@safeguardarmor.com
http://safeguardarmor.com

A) Simply put, consumer grade equipment is manufactured for consumers who have a one time use for a certain piece of investigative gear or want home use out of a piece of investigative gear. Higher end professional and law enforcement grade gear is designed for the professional.

B) Professional grade and law enforcement grade equipment is built for extended heavy and repeated use. It tends to be more rugged and tends to not malfunction after it gets banged around a little.

C) Consumer grade equipment is designed in a manner to keep the price down as much as it can be and is generally not designed for heavy extended and heavy repeated use. Although consumer grade equipment can often be used and is designed to be used more than one time, it tends to burn out over repeated heavy use and can not take the banging around that professional grade equipment can take. Generally speaking, it is not as rugged as professional grade and law enforcement grade equipment and it’s life of use will not be as long.

D) There is often a huge and wide gap between the specifications between professional and law enforcement grade equipment and consumer grade equipment. It’s important to pay attention to the details in the resolution ratings, lux ratings, options and features and battery consumption capacity.

E) Professional And law enforcement equipment tends to have features and options that you can use with various adjustments that are just not present on consumer grade equipment. This can have a huge impact on end results that your clients or the court sees. Consumer grade equipment is generally just not designed with high end results in mind and in our opinion, needs to be kept out of court rooms and legal presentations.

F) Professional And law enforcement grade equipment is often upgradable when it comes to it’s firmware. As technology and features improve, you can sometimes upgrade the software and firmware that runs your gear. With consumer grade gear, you just throw it away and buy the upgrades with a new feature.

G) Professional and law enforcement grade equipment usually comes with a warranty and can usually be repaired. Consumer grade equipment is made in a manner in which it is sold for price and if it breaks down, you just throw it away and obtain a new one. It stands to reason that professional grade equipment is going to cost you more up front but it’s been proven time and time again that in the long run you are going to save a lot of dollars when starting out with professional grade gear since the lower end gear will just not last as long and professional grade gear and is generally not firmware upgradable.

H) When it comes to innovation, we believe LawMate Brand sets that standard when it comes to professional and law enforcement grade equipment. What generally happens is LawMate invents a new product and within a year there is a cheaper knock-off or look-a like in the market place. This is just a general business cycle that happens to everything. LawMate was the first with a professional and law enforcement grade button camera, professional grade pocket DVR that powers cameras, Stealth Cell Phone, key chain video recorder , Eyeglass/Sunglass camera that wasn’t so funky looking, wide dynamic range high definition button camera, the first Law Enforcement Grade CamStick, the first high grade cell phone detectors, and the first high grade keychain audio recorder. All of LawMate brand inventions tend to get knocked off in consumer grade models that are of course cheaper but it’s important for the buyer to know and understand the difference when it comes to various grades of equipment.

I) It’s important to note that if you are on a limited budget and top quality is not your primary concern when it comes to investigative gear, there is nothing wrong with using consumer grade equipment even sometimes for professional use as long as you know and you understand exactly what it is you are buying. We know that as your profession moves forward, you will step up to a professional grade of gear once you use some of it. Because of this, we do carry some non-LawMate brand consumer grade equipment for those just starting out and/or are on a limited budget.

Here is an example of comparing a consumer grade covert video camera system and a professional grade camera system. We urge you to look closely at the difference between the two models so you will understand the difference:

Consumer Grade Invisible Secrets PhoneCam DVR
Although this is a great piece of quality consumer grade gear, it’s consumer grade.

Professional Law Enforcement Grade Invisible Secrets PV-900 By LawMate!
It Simply Sets The Standard For Professional And Law Enforcement Grade.

“The Difference In Grade Is Much Like The Difference Between A Hotdog And A Great Steak Dinner!” – By Ralph Thomas

As an entirely standalone receiver, the IP receiver does not require a computer and eliminates the hassle of installing special software or programs.   It plugs directly into a wireless router and then transmits video wirelessly to the receiver, which also serves as a DVR.  In addition to recording video to an SD card, the IP receiver also streams video over the Internet.  This functionality gives the user complete remote control: including the ability to change the recording mode and to view past recordings and live video. The live feed is accessible from any computer, web browser, or Smartphone.   The IP Receiver also has email notifications that alert the user of power loss, IP address changes, and motion detection.  The motion detection email alert attaches an image so the user knows if there is an intruder in the house or if it’s just the family pet.

The IP receiver’s design makes it the most covert camera system on the market.  There are no markings or cables on the receiver and a locked metal plate protects the SD card from tampering.

Click here to choose from nine camera styles featuring IP receivers available at IRBstore.com.  Purchase any camera with an IP Receiver from IRBstore.com now through July 31st, 2011 and received $70 off!  Use coupon code IP70 at checkout to redeem!

Learn more about covert cameras by watching IRBstore’s online covert cameras and video webinar:

Covert Cameras Webinar 06.30.11 from IRBsearch on Vimeo.

Spymaster Ralph Thomas and his son Spy guy Cody Woods have announced the release of over 150 new cutting-edge law enforcement and investigative products that have been released by SpyTeK and Lawmate America.

These products involve high definition covert video products including a new touch screen pocket DVR and button camera, a cell phone detector, 50 eBooks that investigators, law enforcement officers and intelligence officers can download starting at only $8.00, conventional video cameras you can now set up to monitor from anywhere including from your smartphone or other portable device, specialized high grade audio recording products including a digital audio recorder that looks like a conventional keychain, and several different cell phone forensic tools and computer detection tools.

Thomas Publications, Inc. a division Of SpyTek, has released 50 eBooks you can download to your computer starting at only $8.00 each. Staying on the cutting-edge, Thomas says books in digital form are now starting to take over the book publishing world. Review them off of: http://www.pimall.com/nais/ebookmenu.html

Covert video bodywear has gone HD and new a generation Wide Dynamic Range gives investigators, law enforcement staff and intelligence agencies much better covert video operations that is Easy to use. Like the iPhone and iPad, touch screen pocket sized DVRs let  covert video operations get conducted much more quickly and easily. http://www.pimall.com/nais/PV500touchscreen.html

You will also find a wide assortment of rugged outdoor covert cameras such as the electrical box camera and the rock camera that have built in DVRs and one year battery life. SpyTeK also released the world’s smallest vehicle GPS tracker that is so small, you can hide in the palm of your hand. Also released is a high grade voice changer called the Voice Transformer that can be used on the telephone and even your own mother will not know it is you.

New Cell Phone And Computer Forensic Tools are now very easy to use. The iPhone Recovery Stick pictured above (http://www.pimall.com/nais/iphonestick.html) lets you recover deleted data. You can review a host of such easy to use tools off of: http://www.pimall.com/nais/softw.html

New cell phone forensic programs include a Cell Phone Recon Stick, iPhone Forensics Stick, Chat Recovery Stick and the PornStick.  All of these new products help you recover data from both smart phones and computers.

SpyTeK has released a huge assortment of covert and overt video camera monitoring tools that can now be remote accessed from anywhere including smart phones.  The CoverTeK Covert Line can be reviewed off of: http://www.pimall.com/nais/remoteviewcams.html

You can check all the new SpyTeK and Lawmate America Products out off of: http://www.pimall.com/nais/new.html

SpyTeK, Thomas Investigative Publications, Inc. and Lawmate America will be attending the yearly Convention of The Texas Association Of Licensed Investigators (http://www.tali.org/)  in Houston next week and will be attending The American Society of Industrial Security (http://www.asisonline.org/education/programs/dallas/default.htm) in Dallas Texas in October.

You can also see all this cutting Edge new product line inside The Spy Exchange And Security Center in Austin, Texas at 9513 Burnet Road. While you are there, be sure to go into the Spy And Private-eye Museum which is a collection and the history of spy and private-eye gear. Right now the display room is free.

Spymaster Ralph Thomas and Spy Guy Cody Woods has partnered with GCIS (http://griffithcolsonintelligenceservice.us/default.aspx) and has formed a cutting-edge online TV channel known as NAIStv. You can stop in and watch content off of http://www.naistv.com/

$20 Dollar IRBStore.com Coupon Offer Below!

There are hundreds of different types of digital audio recorders available on the market today and it is important that you know exactly what features to look for when making a purchasing decision.  The Sleuth Gear Digital Recorder with Micro SD Expansion Slot was designed specifically with the needs of private investigators in mind.  This digital recorder has 1 GB of internal memory built in that can record up to 65 hours of audio.  Use the SD expansion slot with a 2GB or 4GB memory card and you can get between 260 and 325 hours of recording.

Because there are no cassette tapes to lose, buy or run out of, your recordings can easily be uploaded into your computer as an .mp3 or .wav file.  Once the recording as been uploaded to a computer, the possibilities are limitless.  If you are in the field, the recordings can be easily transferred to another device, making the information in your investigation up-to-date and easily accessible.

The Sleuth Gear Digital Recorder records in different quality modes to save space and battery power.  It is also one of the few digital recorders on the market that can record in stereo CD quality.  You will never miss another piece of valuable information because of poor recording!

The Sleuth Gear Digital Recorder is also unique to investigators because it comes with adapters to record cell phone and telephone conversations.  The cell phone adapter on this recorder is actually a microphone that picks up both sides of the conversation and adapts to any cell phone, including the new smart phones such as the BlackBerry, Android phones and the iPhone!

The Sleuth Gear Digital Recorder can be set to voice activation; if you are driving or unable to access the buttons, simply speak into it and it will begin recording until you stop talking.  The voice activation feature and discreet size, make it a perfect tool for covert operations, too.

This digital recorder comes with several accessories designed specifically with the private investigator in mind.

They include:

• Cell phone adapter
• CD ROM
• AAA batteries
• Audio Cable
• External Microphone
• USB Cable
• Headphones
• Phone recording adapter
• User’s manual
• AC Adaptor

You will not find another digital recorder on the market that has all of the features and accessories of the Sleuth Gear Digital Recorder.

Purchase the Sleuth Gear Digital Recorder from IRBstore.com now through April 23rd 2010, and receive $20 off! Use coupon code digital20 to instantly receive the discount before this coupon expires!

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Please visit http://IRBstore.com for more products!

The Ultrasonic Dog Chaser is the most humane and safest way to deter unfriendly dogs. Using the latest ultrasonic technology, the Dog Chaser produces a discomforting, but not harmful, high frequency sound that is audible to dogs but not to humans.

This simple, hand-held device will stop the approach of unwanted dogs at up to 20 feet and is easy to use:

Just point the dog-repeller at the animal and press the button.

Most dogs will have an immediate reaction to the sound and will back away but proper and prudent caution should always be maintained in all circumstances involved with an animal who may bite, regardless if you are using this excellent device or not.

The Dog Chaser should be a part of every professional investigator’s gear.  It’s inexpensive, small and easily stows in your glove box or gear bag for ready use.

Side note: I personally used one of these to take the bark out of my neighbor’s dog too… when I finally got fed up with the constant yapping, I started pushing the button every time the dog started barking. It only took a few afternoons and the barking has dramatically improved.

One thing that all GPS tracking devices have in common is the need to receive a Global Positioning System satellite signal that is strong enough for the device to calculate its proper location on planet earth. If the unit’s antenna is placed in a location that is hidden from the GPS satellites, the unit will either stop reporting location updates entirely, or it will begin to “guess” at its location based upon the weak signal. Neither of these scenarios is very useful to the device owner, so it is important that the antenna is placed in a spot where it is able to pick up as much signal as possible.

The number one rule of antenna placement is that GPS satellite signals do not pass through metal. That may seem like a big limitation when you are considering placing a tracking device on a vehicle, but it is not as bad as it initially sounds. The signal can bounce around inside the interior of a vehicle, and many of the interior and exterior components of modern day vehicles are made of materials which the signal can pass through. Let’s take a look at some of the typical locations that our customers have tried to see how well they may, or may not work:

1. In the Trunk: It seems as if there is at least one show a week where the TV cops are sticking a GPS tracking device the size of a coat button in the trunk of a car, and then watching the device update on a computer screen every five seconds for weeks at a time. That is TV, folks, and the technology of the real world is not that good yet. A device that small would have a battery so tiny that it would only be able to transmit location updates for a few hours at best. And unless the trunk is made of fiberglass or is a design that does not really have a trunk (hatchback, SUV, station wagon, etc), there will not be enough GPS signal in the trunk to get reliable reporting.

2. Under the Car: This is a popular choice among first time users, and I understand the temptation. We sell magnetic brackets for most of our devices, which most people assume are designed to allow the device to be stuck up underneath the car. That can be true, but we also sell external antennas for our covert tracking devices for an application such as this one. If the device is placed underneath the car or in the trunk, you will almost certainly need to route an external antenna out to a spot that will be able to pick up a good GPS signal.

3. Under the Front Passenger Seat: This can be a good spot when a customer is looking for a covert location on the inside of the vehicle, and is often the favorite spot among users because it is such an easy location to work with. The only downside is that the satellite signal may be diminished when someone is sitting in the seat, but the device often works well whether or not the seat is occupied.

4. Under the Dash: This is our first choice when it comes to covert locations for a tracking device inside the vehicle. You typically get lots of GPS satellite signal streaming in through the front windshield, and signal passes through most of the materials used to construct the dash with relative ease. You do need to be careful not to secure the device underneath part of the dash that is constructed of metal.

5. Under the Hood: Please re-read the part about the trunk. It’s pretty much the same story under the hood.

6. In the Bumper: We work with a lot of law enforcement services and private investigators requiring covert surveillance, and this is their location of choice when they do not have access to the inside of the vehicle. For most new vehicles, there is an outer plastic or fiberglass cover over the main bumper. Behind this cover, there are usually gaps and spaces in which a GPS tracking device can be secured. Of course, if you are working with a vehicle that has metal bumpers, this location is not going to work well for you without an external antenna that can be routed elsewhere.

We have had reports on some high end BMW and Mercedes models that GPS tracking devices do not work well when placed inside the main cabin of the vehicle. After a little bit of investigating, we also learned that many of these customers also have trouble getting their toll tags to work properly. It appears that the manufacturer may have used a material in the construction of the front windshield that partially blocks radio signals, including GPS satellite signals. What’s the solution? In a case like this you will need to either relocate the device outside the main cabin to a location where it has access to a strong satellite signal, or route an external antenna to a good spot.

It’s worth a quick mention that there are tracking devices on the market that use other wireless technologies (such as a mobile phone tower pings) to generate location reports. These devices are getting better, but for now they are still no match for the GPS system. If a location report with an accuracy of a few hundred yards is good enough, then some of the other options are worth a look. But if you need precision, GPS is still the best solution provided that a good antenna location can be found.

In 1966, C. R. “Bob” Brown founded Brown & Associates which grew to become the oldest, most established private investigative agency in the Central, Florida area. Over the years, Bob’s reputation as a professional and compassionate PI grew, winning him many accolades, honors and awards.

He was listed as one of the top investigators in the nation today (P.I. Magazine), which is backed by the numerous awards and recognition he has received, including the National Association of Investigative Specialists’ “Distinguished Service Award”- considered the “Emmy” of the private investigative industry.

Bob also received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Private Investigators Association of Florida and recently received the “Award of Excellence” from City College of Florida. He is the author of “Investigations – Doing It My Way”, a useful book for anyone considering owning / operating a PI agency.

He is the owner of both www.u-snoop.com and www.pibrown.com

Bob can be reached via email by clicking here.

Body armor is classified by the NIJ (National Institute of Justice) as Levels I, IIA, II, IIIA, III, and IV. Each level has been tested and certified by the NIJ to stop the penetration of a particular ammunition caliber and mass, traveling at various muzzle velocities at an industry standard 5 meters (for types I thru IIIA) and 15 meters for III and IV. (I’m not going to go into angle of penetration of fired test rounds, backing material or construction.) Some materials are also submitted for stab resistance (using the “California Ice Pick Method”)

Here is a basic outline for the minimum standards for each:

Type I (22 LR; 38 Special)
This armor protects against 22 Long Rifle High Velocity lead bullets, with nominal masses of 2.6 g (40 gr) impacting at a velocity of 320 m (1050 ft) per second or less, and 38 Special round nose lead bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr) impacting at a velocity of 259 m (850 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against most handgun rounds in calibers 25 and 32.

Type II-A (Lower Velocity 357 Magnum; 9 mm)
This armor protects against 357 Magnum jacketed soft point bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr) impacting at a velocity of 381 m (1250 ft) per second or less, and 9 mm full metal jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) impacting at a velocity of 332 m (1090 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against threats such as 45 Auto., 38 Special +P and some other factory loads in caliber 357 Magnum and 9 mm, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.

Type II (Higher Velocity 357 Magnum; 9 mm)
This armor protects against 357 Magnum jacketed soft point bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr) impacting at a velocity of 425 m (1395 ft) per second or less, and 9 mm full jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) impacting at a velocity of 358 m (1175 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against most other factory loads in caliber 357 Magnum and 9 mm, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.

Type III-A (44 Magnum; Submachine Gun 9 mm)
This armor protects against 44 Magnum, lead semi-wadcutter bullets with gas checks, nominal masses of 15.55 g (240 gr) and impacting at a velocity of 426 m (1400 ft) per second or less, and 9 mm full metal jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) impacting at a velocity of 426 m (1400 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.

Type III ( High-Powered Rifle)
This armor protects against 7.62 mm full metal jacketed bullets (U.S. military designation M80), with nominal masses of 9.7 g (150 gr) impacting at a velocity of 838 m (2750 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against threats such as 223 Remington (5.56 mm FMJ), 30 Carbine FMJ, and 12 gauge rifled slug, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.

Type IV (Armor-Piercing Rifle)
This armor protects against 30 caliber armor-piercing bullets (U.S. military designation APM2), with nominal masses of 10.8 g (166 gr) impacting at a velocity of 868 m (2850 ft) per second or less. It also provides at least single hit protection against the threats mentioned in lower levels.

SO in answer to your question, you must consider several factors.

a) Many police departments choose the type and level of vests by what type and caliber of handgun their officers carry! If someone takes your weapon from you, your vest should provide protection against it.

b) Typically, the higher the classification level (greater protection) the heavier the vest will be. Heavy bulky vests become a burden and you will eventually just stop wearing it because it is uncomfortable to wear. Types IIIA, III and IV clearly cannot be worn for a full day.

c) What threats do you expect to encounter and at what distances? In this business, and someone correct me if I am wrong, hazardous situation will typically be at close range involving a wide range of calibers.

d) Fit. An improperly fitted vest is dangerous (and damn uncomfortable). If you must purchase one on-line, first- go to a “Cop Shop” and get fitted in various brand name vests and get the sizes. Then order one online. www.galls.com has some good prices and even some specials from time to time. Safariland, Pointe Blank, and Second Chance are all reputable name brands.

e) Personally, I am more scared that I will be attacked with a knife or a blunt object; when I looked at armor, I wanted penetration protection as well, which was very expensive (but worth my life).

Since I only wear my vest for short periods, I decided on a level II vest made of a fabric that provides some resistance to cuts and stabs (though not to the CIPM standards).  A new slash  resistant material, Cut-Tex™,  is also being used in new protective clothing lines.

I hope this helps you make the right decision when choosing concealable soft body armor!

1) Weight: A shotgun is heavy and cumbersome which becomes an issue in foot chases, grappling with a hostile subject or while in cramped quarters searching for your fugitive.

2) Searches and Frisking: What do you do with your shotgun while having to climb into attics, basements, rooftops, fireplaces, crawl spaces, tunnels, etc? Where do you safely put your shotgun while conducting a pat down of the defendant while looking for weapons or contraband? Managing such a large weapon will not allow to keep your hands free in these situations.

3) Hand-to-hand Combat: What if…

Click Here Read the Full Article on Using a Shotgun During Apprehensions While Bounty Hunting

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