Free PILB Ethics and Regulations Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following statements is correct with regard to private investigators?

Accepted Answer

A Private Investigator must follow all laws Federal, Provincial and Municipal.

Answer

A Private Investigator has special authority to break laws for the purpose of investigating criminal activity.

Answer

Since a Private Investigator is considered a Peace Officer he can do anything the police do.

Answer

None of the above.

Question 2

In mobile surveillance if the Investigator is not careful what most likely could draw suspicion from your “target”?

Accepted Answer

Erratic driving

Answer

Staying a safe distance behind the target vehicle

Answer

Driving the speed limit

Answer

None of the above.

Question 3

Private Investigator Mary is hired by attorney Sam to help prove his client is innocent of a crime he is accused of. Mary goes out to interview neighbors near the crime scene and runs into a sex offender who attacks her in his garage. Mary sprays him with a tear gas weapon she carries openly on her belt at all times and thus escapes unharmed. Mary has not taken any training courses for such a simple weapon because it works so easily. Which of the following is the best answer?

Accepted Answer

Mary has violated the B&P Code and the Penal Code and may have her PI license suspended immediately by the Dept. of Consumer Affairs/BSIS.

Answer

All Private Investigators should carry some form of self-defense weapon if they are doing any work in the field. Mary was smart to be prepared.

Answer

Mary has not violated the law because the CA Penal Code §12403.5 specifically allows Private Investigators to carry tear gas (not guns) without taking a training course, as long as it is not concealed.

Answer

Mary may be issued a citation and a fine by BSIS for not taking the required BSIS teargas course in advance of carrying the weapon.

Question 4

A popular tabloid is known as “Extreme Press” hires a well-known Private Investigator named “Robert.” Extreme Press requests Robert to locate a popular vocal artist named Janet Star. Extreme Press also requests Robert to take close-up photographs of Janet’s face. Sources say Janet was recently beat by a former lover.  Robert is able to locate Janet shopping in a clothing store. Robert approached Janet and asked her for an interview. Janet declines, mentioning “Not now.” When Janet begins to walk out of the store, Robert uses his body to block the exit. Robert says, “Hold on,” and snaps several photographs of Janet. Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Robert is liable for up to three times the amount of any general and special damages, disgorgement, subject to punitive damages, and a fine of not less than $5,000, but no more than $50,000.

Answer

Robert is able to take the photographs as long as he blocks Janet’s exit for a “reasonable” amount of time.

Answer

There is no crime, tort, or administrative violation since celebrities lose a “reasonable expectation of privacy” afforded to others without celebrity status.

Answer

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services may impose a $3,000 fine and/or suspend/revoke Robert’s Private Investigator license.

Question 5

If you have any outstanding tax obligations due to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) or the State Board of Equalization (BOE) and appears on either the FTB or BOE's certified lists of top 500 tax delinquencies over $100,000, BSIS is required to _________________.

Accepted Answer

Suspend the license/certificate/registration of any applicant or licensee.

Answer

Deny the application for an applicant for a period not to exceed 30 days or suspend the license for a period not to exceed 60 days.

Answer

Administer a fine of no less than $10,000, but no more than $5,000, and require the outstanding tax obligations to be met.

Answer

Administer a fine of no less than $2,500, but no more than $5,000, and require the outstanding tax obligations be met within 90 days of notice.

Question 6

Mark, a private investigator, is hired by Corporation XYZ to perform pre-employment background checks on prospective employees.   Which of the following is not true regarding the obtaining of credit reports for employment purposes?

Accepted Answer

Mark may not obtain a credit report for employment purposes under any circumstances.

Answer

Mark can obtain a credit report for an applicant applying for a managerial position.

Answer

Mark can obtain a credit report for an applicant applying for a position having regular access to bank or credit card information, social security numbers, and date of birth.

Answer

Mark can obtain a credit report for an applicant applying for a position involving regular access to cash totaling $10,000 or more in one day.

Question 7

John, a private investigator, is hired by Corporation XYZ to perform pre-employment background checks on prospective employees. Prior to requesting a consumer credit report for employment purposes, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

The user of the report must inform the person that a report will be used, identification of the specific basis for the use of the report, the source of the report, and a check box if he/she desires a copy.

Answer

The user of the report must inform the person that a report will be used, identification of the specific basis for the use of the report, and cost.

Answer

John may not use any form of the consumer credit report for employment purposes.

Answer

The user of the report must inform the person that a report will be used and a statement mentioning the person has a right to an attorney.

Question 8

Which of the following is true regarding the denial of employment based wholly or partly because of information contained in a consumer credit report?

Accepted Answer

The user of the report must advise the applicant that adverse action has been taken and supply the name and address or addresses of the consumer credit reporting agency making the report.

Answer

The applicant may file a lawsuit under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Answer

The user of the report must report the findings to the Department of Labor, then the Federal Trade Commission.

Answer

The user of the report does not have to do anything.

Question 9

When a private investigator is the first to arrive at a crime scene, what should his or her initial action be?

Accepted Answer

Calling the police

Answer

Dusting for prints

Answer

Photographing the scene

Answer

Sealing the exits

Question 10

Which of the following forms of hearsay would most likely be admissible in court?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

A statement describing plans to commit a crime in the future.

Answer

A statement made in the heat of passion.

Answer

A statement made by a witness on his or her deathbed.