CLI Surveillance & Fieldwork Techniques Flashcards

When conducting social media surveillance for a civil investigation, which practice is legally acceptable?

Answer: Viewing and documenting publicly accessible posts and profiles

Only publicly available social media content can be lawfully viewed and documented; accessing private content through deception or unauthorized means violates the ECPA and terms of service.

Which piece of equipment is commonly used by CLI field investigators to document subject activity in low-light conditions?

Answer: Night-vision or infrared capable camera

Night-vision or infrared cameras allow investigators to document activity in low-light or nighttime conditions while remaining at a discreet distance.

What is 'curtilage' and why is it important to CLI surveillance operations?

Answer: The area immediately surrounding a home that shares the home's Fourth Amendment privacy protections

Curtilage refers to the area immediately surrounding a residence—such as a yard, porch, or attached garage—which courts treat as part of the home for privacy protection purposes.

A fieldwork report should be written in which perspective to maximize credibility in legal proceedings?

Answer: First-person objective, based solely on direct observations

First-person objective writing clearly attributes observations to the investigator's own direct perception while avoiding speculation, which strengthens credibility under cross-examination.

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a private investigator may obtain an individual's medical records without authorization in which situation?

Answer: Generally, a private investigator cannot access protected health information without proper legal process

HIPAA strictly limits disclosure of protected health information, and private investigators generally must use subpoenas or other valid legal process to access such records.

What is the primary risk of conducting surveillance from a vehicle parked on private property without permission?

Answer: Civil trespass liability and potential criminal trespass charges

Parking on private property without permission exposes the investigator to civil trespass liability and, in many jurisdictions, criminal trespass charges, regardless of the legitimacy of the underlying investigation.