PCI Report Writing & Case Presentation 2

Question 1

When documenting witness statements in an investigative report, the investigator should:

Accepted Answer

Record verbatim quotes alongside the investigator's summary

Answer

Verbatim quotes preserve accuracy while a summary aids readability, and contradictory statements must never be omitted.

Question 2

The 'chain of custody' documentation within a report primarily serves to:

Accepted Answer

Demonstrate evidence was handled without tampering from collection to presentation

Answer

Chain of custody documents every transfer and handling of evidence to prove its integrity and admissibility.

Question 3

Which writing style is most appropriate for the body of a formal investigative report?

Accepted Answer

Third-person objective style with attribution of all statements

Answer

Third-person objective style removes personal bias and requires proper attribution, maintaining professionalism and credibility.

Question 4

An investigator discovers exculpatory information during a case. This information should be:

Accepted Answer

Included in the report even if it contradicts the prevailing theory

Answer

Exculpatory evidence must be documented in the report; omitting it can constitute suppression of evidence and expose the investigator to liability.

Question 5

When presenting a case to a non-technical audience (e.g., a corporate board), an investigator should:

Accepted Answer

Translate technical findings into plain language with visual aids

Answer

Non-technical audiences require plain language and visuals to understand findings; methodology should still be summarized at an appropriate level.

(PCI) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Test