PCI Report Writing & Case Presentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In court testimony, an investigator is asked about information not in their report. The best response is to:
- Testify from memory to appear knowledgeable
- Refuse to answer any questions not covered in the report
- State that the information is not in the report and clarify what the report does contain (Correct answer)
- Speculate based on investigative experience
Correct answer: State that the information is not in the report and clarify what the report does contain
Investigators should only testify to what they documented; speculating beyond the report undermines credibility and can result in perjury.
Question 2: When an investigative report will be used in civil litigation, the most critical writing consideration is:
- Making the report as brief as possible to save attorney time
- Ensuring every factual assertion is supported by specific, documented evidence (Correct answer)
- Using persuasive language to favor the client's position
- Avoiding any mention of negative findings about the client
Correct answer: Ensuring every factual assertion is supported by specific, documented evidence
Civil litigation subjects reports to discovery and cross-examination, so every assertion must be provable with documented evidence.
Question 3: An executive summary in a major investigation report should:
- Contain all raw data and evidence logs
- Provide a brief overview of key findings, methodology, and conclusions for decision-makers (Correct answer)
- Replace the body of the report for efficiency
- Include only financial loss figures
Correct answer: Provide a brief overview of key findings, methodology, and conclusions for decision-makers
An executive summary distills the key points so senior stakeholders can quickly grasp the case without reading the full report.
Question 4: Which practice is most likely to undermine an investigator's credibility during cross-examination?
- Reviewing the report before testifying
- Using hedging language such as 'I believe' for opinions
- Admitting uncertainty when genuinely unsure
- Providing different factual accounts than what appears in the written report (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Providing different factual accounts than what appears in the written report
Inconsistency between testimony and the written report is a primary attack vector for opposing counsel and severely damages credibility.
Question 5: The purpose of an investigative report's methodology section is to:
- Provide a biographical background of the investigator
- List the cost of investigative services rendered
- Explain the investigative techniques and sources used so findings can be evaluated (Correct answer)
- Summarize the conclusions for non-technical readers
Correct answer: Explain the investigative techniques and sources used so findings can be evaluated
The methodology section allows readers and courts to assess how evidence was gathered and whether proper procedures were followed.
Question 6: When attaching exhibits to an investigative report, each exhibit should be:
- Inserted directly into the narrative without labeling
- Labeled, referenced in the text at the appropriate point, and listed in an index (Correct answer)
- Placed only in a separate binder not referenced in the report
- Submitted verbally during case presentation instead
Correct answer: Labeled, referenced in the text at the appropriate point, and listed in an index
Proper exhibit labeling, text cross-references, and an index ensure the report is navigable and that exhibits are properly tied to supporting narrative.
Question 7: A PCI candidate is reviewing a draft report and notices vague language such as 'the subject was acting suspiciously.' The best revision is to:
- Remove the observation entirely to avoid subjectivity
- Replace it with specific, observable behaviors such as 'the subject looked left and right before entering the restricted area' (Correct answer)
- Add the word 'clearly' to make the statement more definitive
- Move it to the conclusion section where opinions are appropriate
Correct answer: Replace it with specific, observable behaviors such as 'the subject looked left and right before entering the restricted area'
Specific, observable behaviors are defensible in court; vague characterizations like 'suspicious' invite challenge and reflect poor documentation practice.
PCI Report Writing & Case Presentation 3
In court testimony, an investigator is asked about information not in their report.
The best response is to: