CPI Ethics, Safety & Legal Considerations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A paranormal investigator is filming in a state where all parties must consent to being recorded. A third party walks into the frame unexpectedly. What should the investigator do?
- Continue filming since the investigation is already underway
- Stop recording until the person is informed and consents, or leaves the area (Correct answer)
- Blur the person's face in post-production and continue
- Ask the client to remove the person before resuming
Correct answer: Stop recording until the person is informed and consents, or leaves the area
In all-party consent (two-party) states, recording must stop or the unconsenting individual must leave before recording can legally resume.
Question 2: When investigating a property where a violent crime occurred, which psychological safety measure is most important for the investigation team?
- Require team members to watch crime scene footage beforehand
- Provide pre- and post-investigation psychological debriefing opportunities (Correct answer)
- Assign the most experienced investigator to handle all distressing areas alone
- Avoid discussing the crime history to keep the team focused
Correct answer: Provide pre- and post-investigation psychological debriefing opportunities
Exposure to crime scenes or trauma locations can have psychological effects, making debriefing sessions critical for team mental health.
Question 3: An investigator posts a photo from a private residential investigation on Instagram without the homeowner's permission. This action violates which principle?
- The principle of evidential integrity
- The principle of client confidentiality and privacy (Correct answer)
- The principle of investigative neutrality
- The principle of scientific methodology
Correct answer: The principle of client confidentiality and privacy
Sharing client property images without permission violates client confidentiality and privacy, which are core ethical obligations.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a pre-investigation safety walkthrough?
- To conduct a preliminary EVP session
- To identify and document physical hazards before the team enters the dark (Correct answer)
- To determine the best camera placement for capturing evidence
- To assess the age and historical significance of the structure
Correct answer: To identify and document physical hazards before the team enters the dark
A pre-investigation safety walkthrough identifies structural hazards, tripping risks, and environmental dangers before the team operates in low-light conditions.
Question 5: Under what circumstances may a paranormal investigator legally access sealed or abandoned government property?
- When no 'No Trespassing' signs are posted
- When the investigation is being filmed for a documentary
- Only when written permission is obtained from the appropriate government authority (Correct answer)
- When the property has been vacant for more than five years
Correct answer: Only when written permission is obtained from the appropriate government authority
Government property requires explicit written authorization from the managing agency regardless of vacancy status or posted signage.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of conflict of interest an ethical paranormal investigator should avoid?
- Using your own equipment on every investigation
- Charging a client for a full report when no significant evidence was found
- Recommending a specific paranormal remediation service from which you receive a referral fee (Correct answer)
- Conducting investigations in your home state
Correct answer: Recommending a specific paranormal remediation service from which you receive a referral fee
Recommending services for personal financial gain without disclosing this relationship constitutes a conflict of interest that undermines client trust.
Question 7: A team member wants to provoke a reportedly aggressive entity using offensive language to elicit a response. What should the lead investigator do?
- Allow it briefly to see if evidence is captured
- Permit it only if the client has signed an expanded consent form
- Prohibit the tactic as it is unethical and may escalate danger (Correct answer)
- Require a safety officer to stand by before permitting it
Correct answer: Prohibit the tactic as it is unethical and may escalate danger
Provocation techniques that use offensive language are generally considered unethical, potentially dangerous, and harmful to the investigative environment.
CPI Ethics, Safety & Legal Considerations 3
A paranormal investigator is filming in a state where all parties must consent to being recorded.
A third party walks into the frame unexpectedly.
What should the investigator do?