PI Background Investigation Techniques 1

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a background investigation conducted by a private investigator?

Accepted Answer

To verify an individual's identity, history, and stated credentials

Answer

To gather personal information for marketing databases

Answer

To build a criminal case for law enforcement agencies

Answer

To monitor a person's daily activities and movements

Question 2

Which federal law primarily governs the use of consumer reports in background investigations conducted by private investigators?

Accepted Answer

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Answer

Privacy Act of 1974

Answer

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Answer

Electronic Communications Privacy Act

Question 3

When conducting a pre-employment background check on behalf of an employer, a private investigator must ensure written authorization is obtained from the subject primarily due to requirements under which law?

Accepted Answer

The Fair Credit Reporting Act

Answer

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

Answer

The Americans with Disabilities Act

Answer

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act

Question 4

Which type of public record is typically most useful for verifying a subject's residential history during a background investigation?

Accepted Answer

Property deed and property tax records

Answer

Tax lien filings

Answer

Professional license records

Answer

Voter registration records

Question 5

The term 'skip tracing' in private investigation refers to which activity?

Accepted Answer

Locating a person who has moved without providing a forwarding address

Answer

Monitoring a subject's financial transactions over time

Answer

Reviewing surveillance footage for suspicious behavior patterns

Answer

Tracing the origin of anonymous written communications

Question 6

Which of the following is a legitimate commercial database platform commonly used by licensed private investigators for background investigations?

Accepted Answer

LexisNexis Accurint

Answer

NCIC (National Crime Information Center)

Answer

CODIS (Combined DNA Index System)

Answer

AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System)

Question 7

What is 'pretexting' in the context of private investigation, and what is its legal status in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining information under false pretenses, which is illegal in many circumstances and jurisdictions

Answer

A fully legal technique for verifying document authenticity under all circumstances

Answer

A standard interview method conducted under an assumed identity, universally permitted

Answer

A court-approved method of accessing otherwise sealed records