CPI Investigative Techniques & Methodology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a pretext interview?
- Interviewing under a false identity or scenario to obtain information (Correct answer)
- Reviewing documents prior to a formal interview
- Recording an interview without the subject's knowledge
- Conducting an interview in a neutral location
Correct answer: Interviewing under a false identity or scenario to obtain information
A pretext interview involves the investigator using a fictitious reason or identity to gather information that would otherwise not be disclosed.
Question 2: During physical surveillance, a 'three-vehicle box' formation is used PRIMARILY to:
- Block the subject's vehicle from escaping
- Maintain continuous coverage of a subject while reducing detection risk (Correct answer)
- Record video from multiple angles simultaneously
- Coordinate a takedown with law enforcement
Correct answer: Maintain continuous coverage of a subject while reducing detection risk
A three-vehicle box allows multiple surveillance vehicles to rotate coverage positions, keeping the subject in sight while reducing the chance any single vehicle is made.
Question 3: When writing an investigative report, the MOST important characteristic is:
- Use of technical jargon to demonstrate expertise
- Objectivity and factual accuracy (Correct answer)
- Length and comprehensiveness
- Favorable presentation of the client's position
Correct answer: Objectivity and factual accuracy
Investigative reports must be objective and factually accurate to withstand legal scrutiny and maintain the investigator's credibility.
Question 4: An investigator conducting workers' compensation fraud surveillance observes the claimant performing activities inconsistent with reported injuries. The FIRST action should be to:
- Confront the claimant immediately
- Document the observation with video and written notes (Correct answer)
- Notify law enforcement
- Contact the claimant's physician
Correct answer: Document the observation with video and written notes
Contemporaneous documentation—video and written notes—preserves evidence in its most credible form before any other action is taken.
Question 5: The 'funnel approach' in investigative interviewing refers to:
- Starting with broad, open-ended questions and narrowing to specific, closed questions (Correct answer)
- Beginning with closed questions to establish facts before opening up
- Using multiple interviewers in sequence
- Recording interviews on video from a high angle
Correct answer: Starting with broad, open-ended questions and narrowing to specific, closed questions
The funnel approach maximizes narrative from the interviewee by first using open questions, then progressively narrowing to specific details.
Question 6: In digital forensics investigations, 'write blocking' devices are used to:
- Prevent the suspect from accessing the internet
- Ensure that examination of digital media does not alter the original data (Correct answer)
- Block malicious software from spreading
- Encrypt evidence files during transport
Correct answer: Ensure that examination of digital media does not alter the original data
Write blockers prevent any data from being written to the original media during forensic examination, preserving evidentiary integrity.
Question 7: Which legal concept requires investigators to establish that evidence was handled and preserved without tampering from the time of collection to its presentation?
- Probable cause
- Chain of custody (Correct answer)
- Fruit of the poisonous tree
- Proximate cause
Correct answer: Chain of custody
Chain of custody documents every person who handled evidence and every transfer, establishing that the evidence presented is unaltered.
CPI Investigative Techniques & Methodology 3
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a pretext interview?