PILB Undercover Operations and Covert Methods 3

Question 1

What is 'counter-surveillance' as practiced by private investigators?

Accepted Answer

Techniques used to detect whether the PI or the client is being watched or followed by a third party

Answer

Installing surveillance cameras on the client's property to monitor the subject

Answer

The use of legal counter-measures to jam a subject's electronic tracking devices

Answer

Filing a complaint with PILB against a competing PI conducting unauthorized surveillance

Question 2

During an undercover operation, a PI unexpectedly discovers evidence of an ongoing violent crime unrelated to the original assignment. The PI should:

Accepted Answer

Immediately report the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency

Answer

Ignore the discovery to avoid compromising the original investigation

Answer

Collect all available evidence personally and deliver it directly to the district attorney

Answer

Inform only the client and let the client decide whether to report to law enforcement

Question 3

What distinguishes a 'ruse' from a full undercover operation in private investigation?

Accepted Answer

A ruse is a brief, single deceptive interaction, while an undercover operation involves a sustained false identity over time

Answer

A ruse involves physical disguise; an undercover operation does not

Answer

A ruse requires PILB approval; an undercover operation does not

Answer

A ruse targets businesses; an undercover operation targets individuals

Question 4

Which federal statute most directly governs interception of wire and electronic communications during a PI's covert investigation?

Accepted Answer

Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (Federal Wiretap Act)

Answer

The Privacy Act of 1974

Answer

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Answer

The Electronic Communications Privacy Act's Stored Communications Act provisions only

Question 5

An 'exit strategy' in an undercover PI operation refers to:

Accepted Answer

A pre-planned method for the operative to safely disengage from the undercover role without raising suspicion or endangering themselves

Answer

The procedure for terminating a PI's license with PILB

Answer

The client's contractual right to cancel the investigation without penalty

Answer

The process of handing over evidence to law enforcement at the conclusion of a case

Question 6

A PI hired to investigate employee theft wants to work undercover inside the client's business. Under PILB rules, this arrangement requires that:

Accepted Answer

The PI have a written contract with the licensed client authorizing the covert placement

Answer

The PI obtain a separate license category specifically for internal corporate investigations

Answer

The client notify all employees that an investigation is underway before it begins

Answer

The PI be a current or former law enforcement officer with at least five years of service

Question 7

Which practice BEST protects an undercover PI from accusations of manufacturing or tainting evidence?

Accepted Answer

Keeping real-time, timestamped logs of all actions, observations, and communications during the operation

Answer

Conducting all undercover work with a partner who can serve as a witness

Answer

Destroying all working notes once the final report is written to prevent conflicting records

Answer

Having the client personally observe the investigation at each stage