Private Investigator Exam Evidence & Documentation

Question 1

What is the 'chain of custody' in evidence management?

Accepted Answer

A documented record tracking who collected, handled, and stored evidence

Answer

The order in which witnesses are interviewed

Answer

The client's authorization chain for the case

Answer

A court-ordered sequence for evidence review

Question 2

Which type of evidence is considered 'direct evidence' in an investigation?

Accepted Answer

Evidence that directly proves a fact without requiring inference

Answer

Evidence that requires inference to connect it to the fact in question

Answer

Physical items collected at a scene

Answer

Witness testimony about past events

Question 3

What is 'circumstantial evidence'?

Accepted Answer

Evidence that requires an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact

Answer

Evidence gathered without a warrant

Answer

Statements made by the subject under oath

Answer

Video footage of the incident

Question 4

When writing an investigation report, which writing style should a PI use?

Accepted Answer

Objective, factual, and free of personal conclusions or opinions

Answer

First-person narrative with personal opinions

Answer

Legal terminology only

Answer

Summary format without specific times or dates

Question 5

What is the purpose of a 'case intake form' at the start of an investigation?

Accepted Answer

To document client identity, stated purpose, subject information, and scope of the case

Answer

To bill the client for initial services

Answer

To obtain court authorization

Answer

To register the case with the state licensing board

Question 6

Photographs taken as evidence should always include:

Accepted Answer

Establishing, medium, and close-up shots with timestamps

Answer

Only close-up shots of relevant items

Answer

The investigator's hand for scale

Answer

Only images that support the client's position