PCI Case Management & Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An investigative report should be written in what tense and perspective?
- Future tense, first person
- Past tense, first or third person, objective tone (Correct answer)
- Present tense, second person
- Subjective tone with personal conclusions throughout
Correct answer: Past tense, first or third person, objective tone
Investigative reports describe completed actions in past tense using objective language to maintain credibility and professionalism.
Question 2: Which element is LEAST appropriate to include in a formal investigative report?
- Factual observations
- Witness statements with attribution
- Speculative conclusions unsupported by evidence (Correct answer)
- Timeline of investigative activities
Correct answer: Speculative conclusions unsupported by evidence
Speculation without evidentiary support undermines report credibility and could expose the investigator to liability.
Question 3: A case that has been inactive for an extended period should be:
- Automatically closed without review
- Reviewed to determine if it should be suspended, continued, or closed (Correct answer)
- Transferred to law enforcement without notice
- Archived immediately without documentation
Correct answer: Reviewed to determine if it should be suspended, continued, or closed
Inactive cases require deliberate review to make an informed administrative decision about their disposition.
Question 4: What does 'case disposition' refer to in investigative case management?
- The method used to conduct surveillance
- The final outcome or resolution status assigned to a case (Correct answer)
- The physical location where case files are stored
- The number of investigators assigned to a case
Correct answer: The final outcome or resolution status assigned to a case
Case disposition describes the final administrative outcome, such as substantiated, unsubstantiated, closed, or referred.
Question 5: When a case involves potential criminal conduct, the investigator should:
- Pursue criminal charges independently
- Document findings thoroughly and coordinate with legal counsel or law enforcement as appropriate (Correct answer)
- Destroy sensitive documentation to protect the subject
- Close the case and take no further action
Correct answer: Document findings thoroughly and coordinate with legal counsel or law enforcement as appropriate
Criminal conduct referrals require careful documentation and proper coordination with legal or law enforcement authorities.
Question 6: How should discrepancies discovered in previously submitted reports be handled?
- Ignore them to avoid criticism
- Issue a supplemental or amended report clearly noting the correction (Correct answer)
- Delete the original report and start over
- Verbally inform the client without written follow-up
Correct answer: Issue a supplemental or amended report clearly noting the correction
Supplemental reports that document corrections maintain transparency and preserve the integrity of the investigative record.
Question 7: Which practice best ensures investigative notes are defensible in court?
- Writing notes days after an observation from memory
- Recording notes contemporaneously with a date, time, and signature (Correct answer)
- Using abbreviations known only to the investigator
- Keeping notes in a personal format without identifying information
Correct answer: Recording notes contemporaneously with a date, time, and signature
Contemporaneous notes with date, time, and signature establish a reliable record that can withstand legal scrutiny.
PCI Case Management & Documentation 3
An investigative report should be written in what tense and perspective?