Data Analysis & Reporting Flashcards

A PI's report contains an exhibit that is a photograph taken during surveillance. Which information MUST accompany this exhibit to establish its evidentiary value?

Answer: Date, time, location, and the name of the PI who took the photograph

Photographs must be authenticated with metadata (date, time, location, photographer) to establish they accurately represent what is claimed and when.

When performing quantitative data analysis on insurance claims, a PI identifies an outlier that is statistically significant. The appropriate action is to:

Answer: Investigate the outlier further before including it as a key finding

Statistical outliers warrant deeper investigation — they may represent fraud, error, or a legitimate anomaly, and conclusions cannot be drawn without additional analysis.

What is the primary purpose of an 'activity log' maintained by a PI during an investigation?

Answer: To create a real-time, verifiable record of all investigative actions taken

An activity log provides a contemporaneous, verifiable record of investigator actions that can defend the integrity of the investigation if challenged in court.

A corporate client requests a PI to analyze competitor intelligence gathered from public sources. The most significant legal boundary the PI must respect is:

Answer: Avoiding any collection methods that constitute unauthorized computer access or misrepresentation

Competitive intelligence gathering must stay within legal limits — unauthorized access to systems or impersonation to obtain data violates laws such as the CFAA.

In a complex embezzlement investigation, a PI uses a 'funds flow analysis.' What does this technique trace?

Answer: The movement of money through accounts to identify diversion or misappropriation

Funds flow analysis maps the path of money through financial accounts to identify when, where, and how funds were diverted from their intended purpose.

When a PI must present data analysis findings verbally to an attorney, which practice BEST ensures clarity and credibility?

Answer: Using visual aids, speaking in factual terms, and clearly distinguishing observations from inferences

Visual aids support comprehension, factual language maintains credibility, and clearly separating observations from inferences prevents the PI from overstepping their role.

A PI receives a dataset with missing values in 15% of records. Which is the MOST appropriate analytical approach?

Answer: Document the gaps, analyze available data, and note limitations in the report

Transparent reporting of data gaps and their potential impact on conclusions maintains analytical integrity and prevents misleading the client.