CEA Ethics Investigation Procedures 4

Question 1

An employee reports retaliation after filing an ethics complaint. How should the organization treat the retaliation allegation?

Accepted Answer

Investigate it as a separate and equally serious matter

Answer

Retaliation must be investigated independently because it constitutes a separate violation, regardless of the outcome of the underlying complaint.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'due process' in an internal ethics investigation?

Accepted Answer

The accused must be given a fair opportunity to respond to allegations before conclusions are drawn

Answer

Due process in internal investigations means giving the subject notice of allegations and an opportunity to respond, ensuring procedural fairness.

Question 3

When conducting a digital forensic review during an ethics investigation, which action is most important to take first?

Accepted Answer

Create a forensic image or backup of the original data before analysis

Answer

Preserving original data through forensic imaging ensures the integrity of evidence and prevents accusations of tampering or alteration.

Question 4

A witness refuses to cooperate with an internal ethics investigation. The organization's primary recourse is to:

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal and note how it affects the investigation's completeness

Answer

While cooperation can be required under employment policies, the investigator must document a refusal and assess its impact on the overall findings.

Question 5

Which standard of care requires ethics investigators to document their reasoning for every significant decision made during an investigation?

Accepted Answer

The 'reasonable investigator' standard

Answer

The reasonable investigator standard holds that decisions should be documented and defensible as those a competent, objective investigator would make.

(CEA) Certified Ethics Associate Practice Test

(CEA) Certified Ethics Associate Practice Test

CEA Ethics Investigation Procedures 4