A surveillance system is provided including a platform having a plurality and variety of cameras or sensors mounted thereto, and a base enclosure adapted to accommodate a power supply, a variety of electronics and other equipment for controlling and providing power to the surveillance equipment. A text message system of an IMS network receives a text message intended for the IMS wireline phone. The apparatus contains a padded sole, an encasing material, vertical straps, an attachment mechanism on the straps, and a replaceable cover. The invention entails use of the amplification methods in detecting nucleic acid analytes, as in nucleic acid probe hybridization assays.