ACI Professional Ethics & Standards 3

Question 1

An investigator realizes mid-examination that the search warrant does not authorize access to encrypted cloud storage found on the device. The correct action is to:

Accepted Answer

Stop and seek additional legal authorization before proceeding

Answer

Access the cloud storage since it is connected to an authorized device

Answer

Document the finding and skip it, continuing with authorized areas

Answer

Access it quickly and report the authorization gap afterwards

Question 2

Which ethical obligation requires a forensic investigator to disclose prior professional relationships with parties in a case?

Accepted Answer

Conflict of interest disclosure

Answer

Duty of competence

Answer

Duty of confidentiality

Answer

Non-repudiation obligation

Question 3

A corporate investigator discovers that company executives are directing them to exclude exculpatory evidence from the report. What should the investigator do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse, include all material evidence, and consider withdrawing from the engagement

Answer

Comply since the company is the client

Answer

Exclude only evidence that is not definitively exculpatory

Answer

Submit two separate reports — one for the client and one for the court

Question 4

Under the ACFE Code of Professional Ethics, what does 'due professional care' require of a digital investigator?

Accepted Answer

Applying competent skill, knowledge, and diligence consistent with professional standards

Answer

Using the most expensive forensic tools available

Answer

Obtaining a signed liability waiver from all clients

Answer

Completing investigations within the shortest possible time

Question 5

An expert witness discovers after submitting their report that they made a factual error. The ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Issue a corrected report promptly and notify all relevant parties

Answer

Leave the report unchanged to avoid appearing unreliable

Answer

Correct it only if opposing counsel has not yet received the report

Answer

Wait to see if opposing counsel identifies the error during cross-examination

Question 6

Which practice violates professional ethics when an investigator is hired as a neutral third party in a civil dispute?

Accepted Answer

Sharing preliminary findings with only one party before the report is final

Answer

Documenting chain of custody meticulously

Answer

Using validated forensic tools and methods

Answer

Maintaining a detailed examination log

Question 7

Peer review of a forensic examiner's methodology is considered an ethical best practice because it:

Accepted Answer

Validates findings and reduces the risk of methodological errors reaching court

Answer

Reduces the cost of the investigation

Answer

Increases the speed of the examination

Answer

Allows examiners to share client confidential data