CPI Ethics, Safety & Legal Considerations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client requests that you investigate their neighbor's property without the neighbor's knowledge or permission. What is the correct ethical response?
- Agree only if the client pays extra
- Decline and explain that investigations require permission from the property owner (Correct answer)
- Conduct the investigation covertly at night to avoid detection
- Accept if the client signs a liability waiver
Correct answer: Decline and explain that investigations require permission from the property owner
Ethical paranormal investigators require explicit permission from property owners before any investigation, regardless of client requests.
Question 2: During an investigation, a team member discovers a potential gas leak. What is the immediate priority?
- Continue the investigation and note the hazard in the report
- Complete the current EVP session before evacuating
- Evacuate all personnel immediately and contact emergency services (Correct answer)
- Open windows and continue working carefully
Correct answer: Evacuate all personnel immediately and contact emergency services
A gas leak is a life-threatening safety hazard requiring immediate evacuation and contact with emergency services before any other action.
Question 3: Which federal law most directly governs wiretapping and audio recording consent requirements that paranormal investigators must consider?
- Freedom of Information Act
- Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) (Correct answer)
- Privacy Act of 1974
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
Correct answer: Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)
The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) governs the interception of electronic communications, including audio recording, and informs investigators about consent requirements.
Question 4: A client shares deeply personal information about trauma associated with their haunting experience. How should an ethical investigator handle this information?
- Share it with the team openly to inform the investigation
- Post it on social media to attract attention to the case
- Keep it strictly confidential and share only on a need-to-know basis within the team (Correct answer)
- Include all details in the publicly released case report
Correct answer: Keep it strictly confidential and share only on a need-to-know basis within the team
Client confidentiality requires that sensitive personal information be protected and shared only when operationally necessary within the investigation team.
Question 5: Before investigating a building constructed before 1978, what safety precaution is particularly important?
- Check for underground tunnels
- Test for asbestos and lead paint hazards (Correct answer)
- Verify the building has no historical significance
- Ensure the building has a current certificate of occupancy
Correct answer: Test for asbestos and lead paint hazards
Buildings constructed before 1978 may contain asbestos insulation and lead paint, which pose serious health hazards when disturbed during investigations.
Question 6: An investigator captures what appears to be compelling paranormal evidence but later identifies a natural explanation. What is the ethical obligation?
- Publish the original evidence without mentioning the debunked explanation
- Discard the evidence and never mention it
- Disclose the natural explanation even though it weakens the case (Correct answer)
- Present both possibilities equally and let the audience decide
Correct answer: Disclose the natural explanation even though it weakens the case
Ethical investigators must disclose when evidence has been debunked, even if it undermines the case, to maintain integrity and scientific credibility.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes 'informed consent' in the context of paranormal investigation?
- The client agrees verbally at the start of the investigation
- The property owner and all affected parties understand and agree to the investigation's scope, methods, and risks before it begins (Correct answer)
- A signed form allowing investigators to record any findings
- Permission granted by the local historical society for access
Correct answer: The property owner and all affected parties understand and agree to the investigation's scope, methods, and risks before it begins
Informed consent requires that all relevant parties have complete understanding of what the investigation involves before agreeing to participate.
CPI Ethics, Safety & Legal Considerations 2
A client requests that you investigate their neighbor's property without the neighbor's knowledge or permission.
What is the correct ethical response?