PILB - Private Investigators Licensing Board Surveillance and Evidence Collection Questions and Answers

Question 1

A private investigator in Nevada is conducting surveillance on an individual for an insurance fraud case.
From a public sidewalk, the investigator records the individual carrying heavy bags of groceries from their car to their house.
The individual has claimed a debilitating back injury.
Which of the following is true regarding the video evidence?

Accepted Answer

The evidence is likely admissible because it was obtained from a public place where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.

Answer

The evidence is inadmissible because it violates the subject's right to privacy.

Answer

The evidence is only admissible if the investigator first announced their presence to the subject.

Answer

The evidence is automatically excluded because surveillance is considered entrapment in Nevada.

Question 2

To ensure evidence is admissible in court, a private investigator must meticulously document its handling from collection to presentation. What is this chronological documentation trail called?

Accepted Answer

Chain of Custody

Answer

Evidence Log

Answer

Investigative Summary

Answer

Case File Index

Question 3

A private investigator is hired to gather information about a person's financial assets. The investigator calls the subject's bank, impersonates the subject using their known personal information, and successfully obtains bank account balances. This technique is known as pretexting. According to federal law, what is the legality of this action?

Accepted Answer

It is illegal under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

Answer

It is a legal and accepted method for asset investigation.

Answer

It is legal only with a notarized authorization from the client.

Answer

It is only illegal if the information is used in a criminal, not civil, case.

Question 4

Which of the following surveillance activities would most likely constitute an illegal invasion of privacy for a private investigator in Nevada?

Accepted Answer

Using a telephoto lens to photograph a subject through their living room window from another property without permission.

Answer

Following a subject's vehicle on public roads.

Answer

Observing a subject's activities in a public park.

Answer

Recording a subject's public posts on a social media platform.

Question 5

During a contentious child custody investigation, a private investigator records a conversation between the subject and another person while they are dining on the outdoor patio of a crowded restaurant. Under what general principle is this recording likely to be considered legally obtained evidence?

Accepted Answer

The lack of a reasonable expectation of privacy in a public setting.

Answer

The one-party consent rule.

Answer

The investigator's status as a licensed professional.

Answer

The relevance of the conversation to the case.

Question 6

According to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 648, which of the following activities falls under the definition of a private investigator's work and requires a PILB license?

Accepted Answer

Securing evidence to be used before a court or investigating committee.

Answer

Accessing exclusively public records for a client.

Answer

Serving legal documents on behalf of an attorney.

Answer

Providing uniformed guard services to protect property.