Private Investigator Exam Evidence & Documentation 3

Question 1

When documenting vehicle surveillance, which information is most critical to record?

Accepted Answer

License plate number, make, model, color, and time of observation

Answer

Documenting the license plate number, make, model, color, and time allows investigators and attorneys to identify and verify the vehicle in public records.

Question 2

What is the difference between an investigative report and an affidavit?

Accepted Answer

An affidavit is a sworn, notarized statement while an investigative report is not sworn

Answer

An affidavit is a sworn, notarized written statement used in legal proceedings, while an investigative report is an internal document that may or may not be sworn.

Question 3

What does 'spoliation hold' mean when a PI is informed that litigation is anticipated?

Accepted Answer

The PI must preserve all relevant evidence and stop any routine destruction of records

Answer

A spoliation hold requires all parties, including PIs, to preserve relevant evidence once litigation is reasonably anticipated to prevent allegations of evidence destruction.

Question 4

When photographing a document as evidence, the PI should:

Accepted Answer

Wear gloves and photograph it in place before moving it

Answer

Wearing gloves and photographing the document in its original position preserves fingerprint evidence and documents the original context of discovery.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of 'demonstrative evidence'?

Accepted Answer

A diagram or timeline created to illustrate facts for a court

Answer

Demonstrative evidence, such as diagrams, timelines, or charts, is created to help the fact-finder understand complex information—it is illustrative, not real evidence itself.

Private Investigator Exam Practice Test

Private Investigator Exam Practice Test

Private Investigator Exam Evidence & Documentation 3