PILB Undercover Operations and Covert Methods

Question 1

In private investigation, what is a 'pretext' call?

Accepted Answer

A call made under a false identity or false reason to elicit information from a subject

Answer

A pretext call involves a PI calling a subject under a fabricated identity or false pretense to gather information the subject would not otherwise reveal.

Question 2

If a PI's cover identity is compromised during an undercover operation, the BEST immediate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Safely disengage from the situation and report the compromise to the client

Answer

When a cover is blown, the PI's safety and the investigation's integrity are at risk; the safest course is to withdraw and inform the client so next steps can be reassessed.

Question 3

Which undercover technique involves a PI assuming a false professional identity to access a restricted environment?

Accepted Answer

Deep cover infiltration

Answer

Deep cover infiltration means the investigator assumes a sustained false identity—often a professional one—to gain long-term access to a restricted or closed group.

Question 4

Under Nevada law, a private investigator conducting an undercover operation commits fraud if they:

Accepted Answer

Induce a subject to enter into a contract under a false pretense to harm the subject financially

Answer

Nevada law prohibits PIs from using deception to induce a person into a contract or transaction that causes the subject financial harm, which crosses from lawful pretext into criminal fraud.

Question 5

What is 'elicitation' as used in undercover investigative methods?

Accepted Answer

Drawing out information from a subject through casual, seemingly innocent conversation

Answer

Elicitation is the covert technique of guiding a subject into revealing information through natural-seeming conversation without alerting them that they are being questioned.

PILB - Private Investigators Licensing Board Practice Test

PILB - Private Investigators Licensing Board Practice Test

PILB Undercover Operations and Covert Methods