CPI Professional Standards & Ethics 2

Question 1

An investigator is offered a bonus by a client if the investigation yields a result that supports the client's legal case. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Decline and explain that investigative findings must be objective and unbiased

Answer

Investigators must maintain objectivity; accepting contingency-based fees tied to outcomes compromises impartiality and violates professional ethics.

Question 2

Which principle requires a CPI to disclose potential conflicts of interest before accepting an assignment?

Accepted Answer

Transparency and disclosure

Answer

Transparency and disclosure obligate investigators to reveal conflicts of interest so clients can make informed decisions about representation.

Question 3

A CPI discovers during an investigation that the client's employee is engaged in illegal activity unrelated to the original assignment. What should the investigator do first?

Accepted Answer

Document the finding and consult with legal counsel before taking further action

Answer

The investigator should document the discovery and seek legal guidance to understand reporting obligations and client confidentiality duties before acting.

Question 4

Under the ASIS International Code of Ethics, what is the investigator's duty regarding competence?

Accepted Answer

Only accept assignments for which the investigator is qualified and maintain current knowledge

Answer

ASIS standards require CPIs to accept only those assignments within their competence and to engage in continuing education to stay current.

Question 5

An investigator's surveillance of a subject incidentally captures images of a third party engaging in an embarrassing but legal private act. The ethical course of action is to:

Accepted Answer

Exclude or redact the images from the report to protect the third party's privacy

Answer

Investigators must minimize privacy intrusions on uninvolved third parties; images capturing legal private conduct should be excluded from reports.

(CPI) Certified Principal Investigator Practice Test

(CPI) Certified Principal Investigator Practice Test

CPI Professional Standards & Ethics 2