PILB Undercover Operations and Covert Methods 2

Question 1

What is a 'backstop' in the context of an undercover PI operation?

Accepted Answer

Verifiable supporting evidence (e.g., a fake website or phone number) that reinforces a cover identity

Answer

A firearm retained by the PI for personal protection during field work

Answer

A legal document authorizing the PI to conduct covert surveillance

Answer

A backup PI who monitors the undercover operative from a distance

Question 2

A PI is hired to investigate suspected workers' compensation fraud. Which undercover approach is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Conduct covert video surveillance of the claimant in public to document physical activity

Answer

Pose as a physician to review the claimant's medical records directly

Answer

Conduct overt interviews with the claimant's neighbors using the PI's real identity

Answer

Access the claimant's private social media accounts by guessing their password

Question 3

Under Nevada's one-party consent law, a PI may legally record a telephone call if:

Accepted Answer

At least one party to the call (including the PI) consents to the recording

Answer

Both parties to the call have provided written consent before the call begins

Answer

A court order has been obtained authorizing the recording

Answer

The call is made from a business landline rather than a mobile phone

Question 4

Which of the following pretexts for obtaining personal information would VIOLATE the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)?

Accepted Answer

Calling a bank and impersonating the account holder to obtain financial records

Answer

Observing a subject's publicly listed business address

Answer

Reviewing a subject's public court records

Answer

Photographing a subject's vehicle in a public parking lot

Question 5

What is 'legend building' in undercover investigations?

Accepted Answer

Constructing a comprehensive false background, history, and identity for an undercover operative

Answer

Writing a detailed final report for the client summarizing the investigation's findings

Answer

Documenting notable surveillance milestones in the case file

Answer

Creating a timeline of the subject's known criminal history

Question 6

When conducting undercover investigations via social media, a PI must NOT:

Accepted Answer

Create a fake profile to befriend the subject and access content set to 'friends only'

Answer

View publicly accessible posts and photos without interacting with the subject

Answer

Note timestamps and URLs of publicly visible content for the case file

Answer

Screenshot publicly available posts that are relevant to the investigation

Question 7

To ensure evidence obtained through undercover methods is admissible, a PI should PRIMARILY:

Accepted Answer

Maintain contemporaneous, detailed notes and chain-of-custody records for all collected evidence

Answer

Obtain a signed affidavit from the subject acknowledging the PI's presence

Answer

Have the evidence notarized by a Nevada notary public within 48 hours of collection

Answer

Submit all evidence to law enforcement for independent verification before delivering it to the client