CPI Reporting & Case Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When writing an investigative report, the 'chain of custody' section should document which of the following?
- The investigator's personal opinions about the evidence
- Every person who handled the evidence and when (Correct answer)
- Only the final recipient of the evidence
- The monetary value of each piece of evidence
Correct answer: Every person who handled the evidence and when
Chain of custody documents every person who had possession of evidence, with dates and times, to ensure integrity and admissibility.
Question 2: A client requests a verbal briefing instead of a written report for a sensitive investigation. What is the best practice for a CPI?
- Provide only verbal updates and maintain no written records
- Provide the verbal briefing but still document key findings internally (Correct answer)
- Refuse to brief the client without a formal written report
- Record the verbal briefing and share the recording publicly
Correct answer: Provide the verbal briefing but still document key findings internally
Even when clients prefer verbal briefings for sensitivity, investigators should still maintain internal documentation to protect themselves and ensure accuracy.
Question 3: Which report writing principle ensures the reader can follow the investigation's timeline without confusion?
- Using passive voice throughout
- Chronological organization of events (Correct answer)
- Alphabetical ordering of witness names
- Presenting conclusions before evidence
Correct answer: Chronological organization of events
Chronological organization allows readers to follow the sequence of events as they occurred, making the report logical and easy to understand.
Question 4: In case management, what does 'case disposition' refer to?
- The physical location where case files are stored
- The final outcome or resolution of a case (Correct answer)
- The investigator assigned to handle the case
- The budget allocated for the investigation
Correct answer: The final outcome or resolution of a case
Case disposition refers to the final outcome of a case, such as whether it was prosecuted, settled, closed without action, or referred to another agency.
Question 5: An investigator discovers mid-case that the original case hypothesis is incorrect. What should the investigator do?
- Continue investigating the original hypothesis to completion
- Suppress the contradictory findings from the report
- Adjust the case direction and document the change in findings (Correct answer)
- Close the case immediately and start a new one
Correct answer: Adjust the case direction and document the change in findings
Investigators must remain objective; when evidence contradicts the original hypothesis, they must adjust their direction and fully document the revised findings.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of an executive summary in an investigative report?
- To provide the full narrative of investigative activities
- To list all evidence collected in detail
- To give decision-makers a concise overview of key findings (Correct answer)
- To document the investigator's credentials
Correct answer: To give decision-makers a concise overview of key findings
An executive summary provides a concise overview of findings and conclusions so that decision-makers can quickly grasp the key points without reading the full report.
Question 7: When a case involves multiple suspects, how should an investigative report typically handle each subject?
- Combine all subjects into a single narrative section
- Create separate sections or profiles for each individual (Correct answer)
- List only the primary suspect with others mentioned briefly
- Avoid naming suspects until prosecution is confirmed
Correct answer: Create separate sections or profiles for each individual
Separate sections or profiles for each subject ensure clarity, prevent confusion, and allow readers to assess evidence against each individual independently.
CPI Reporting & Case Management 2
When writing an investigative report, the 'chain of custody' section should document which of the following?