CPI Reporting & Case Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which element distinguishes a 'preliminary report' from a 'final investigative report'?
- Preliminary reports contain more detail than final reports
- Preliminary reports present initial findings before the investigation concludes (Correct answer)
- Final reports are submitted only to law enforcement
- Preliminary reports are always confidential while final reports are public
Correct answer: Preliminary reports present initial findings before the investigation concludes
A preliminary report captures initial findings during an ongoing investigation, while the final report presents comprehensive conclusions after all investigative activities are complete.
Question 2: What is 'case indexing' in investigative case management?
- Photographing all evidence at the crime scene
- Organizing and cross-referencing case materials for easy retrieval (Correct answer)
- Interviewing witnesses in alphabetical order
- Rating cases by severity on a numerical scale
Correct answer: Organizing and cross-referencing case materials for easy retrieval
Case indexing involves systematically organizing and cross-referencing documents, evidence, and information so investigators can efficiently retrieve relevant material.
Question 3: An investigator uses surveillance footage in a report. What must be documented about the footage to ensure evidentiary value?
- Only the date the footage was reviewed by the investigator
- Source, date, time, how it was obtained, and chain of custody (Correct answer)
- The names of all individuals appearing in the footage
- The cost of obtaining the surveillance system
Correct answer: Source, date, time, how it was obtained, and chain of custody
Evidentiary value requires full documentation of the footage's source, timestamps, acquisition method, and an unbroken chain of custody.
Question 4: What does 'spoliation of evidence' mean in the context of case management?
- The natural deterioration of evidence over time
- Intentional or negligent destruction or alteration of evidence (Correct answer)
- The process of cataloging evidence at a scene
- Transferring evidence to a secure storage facility
Correct answer: Intentional or negligent destruction or alteration of evidence
Spoliation refers to the intentional or negligent destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence, which can result in legal sanctions or adverse inferences in court.
Question 5: When an investigation reveals criminal activity beyond the original scope of the case, what should the investigator do?
- Ignore findings outside the original scope entirely
- Conduct a full criminal investigation personally
- Document the findings and advise the client to notify appropriate authorities (Correct answer)
- Delete records to protect the client from liability
Correct answer: Document the findings and advise the client to notify appropriate authorities
When criminal activity outside the case scope is discovered, the investigator should document it and recommend the client notify appropriate law enforcement or regulatory authorities.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'active case management'?
- Filing completed cases in long-term storage
- Continuously monitoring, updating, and directing an ongoing investigation (Correct answer)
- Archiving old case reports for future reference
- Assigning cases to new investigators without follow-up
Correct answer: Continuously monitoring, updating, and directing an ongoing investigation
Active case management involves ongoing monitoring, directing investigative activities, updating leads, and adjusting strategies throughout an open investigation.
Question 7: In report writing, what is meant by 'just the facts' documentation style?
- Only documenting facts favorable to the client
- Recording only witness statements without physical evidence
- Reporting only observable, verifiable facts without personal interpretation (Correct answer)
- Using legal terminology exclusively throughout the report
Correct answer: Reporting only observable, verifiable facts without personal interpretation
A 'just the facts' style means recording only what was observed or verified, avoiding personal opinions, assumptions, or editorial commentary.
CPI Reporting & Case Management 3
Which element distinguishes a 'preliminary report' from a 'final investigative report'?