What does it mean when someone is casing?

When someone is described as casing a location, it means they are conducting a careful, secretive surveillance or reconnaissance mission to evaluate a building, business, or residence before planning an unlawful activity or robbery. During this observational phase, the individual will study the target's physical environment, noting security camera placements, patrol schedules, optimal entry and exit routes, and the general habits of the occupants to minimize their chances of detection. While the term is most commonly associated with criminal investigations and dramatic storytelling, the underlying concept of thorough reconnaissance is equally applicable in legitimate security assessments, where professional security auditors scout facilities to identify vulnerabilities and recommend robust physical protection enhancements.