Within the framework of the scientific article, some aspects of such an operational search event as a survey are considered. It is difficult to imagine any disclosure or investigation of a criminally punishable act without such an action by law enforcement agencies as a survey, which implies, under its basis, obtaining operationally relevant information to solve the tasks facing operational investigative activities, in accordance with Article 2 of the Federal Law «On Operational Investigative Activities» № 144, from objects representing operational interest. Its organizational and tactical diversity, caused, among other things, by official necessity, generates a lot of disputes and discussions.