Private Investigator Exam Interview & Skip Tracing 2

Question 1

Which database is commonly used by licensed PIs in the US for skip tracing and locating persons?

Accepted Answer

LexisNexis Accurint or TLO

Answer

FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

Answer

IRS tax database

Answer

DEA drug offender registry

Question 2

When interviewing a reluctant witness, the most effective approach is to:

Accepted Answer

Explain the importance of their information and appeal to their sense of civic duty

Answer

Threaten legal consequences if they refuse to speak

Answer

Record the conversation without their knowledge

Answer

Have law enforcement present to compel testimony

Question 3

What is the 'funnel technique' in witness interviewing?

Accepted Answer

Starting with broad open-ended questions and narrowing to specific details

Answer

Beginning with yes/no questions to establish baseline facts

Answer

Using a script of predetermined questions

Answer

Asking multiple witnesses the same question in sequence

Question 4

For skip tracing purposes, utility records are valuable because they:

Accepted Answer

Often reflect a current service address tied to the subject's residence

Answer

Are freely available to any member of the public

Answer

Are maintained by federal law enforcement

Answer

Require no special access or authorization

Question 5

What does the term 'locator search' refer to in PI work?

Accepted Answer

Efforts to find the current physical location or address of a person

Answer

Searching for hidden assets

Answer

Locating missing evidence at a crime scene

Answer

Finding a witness through court records

Question 6

Which of the following is a legitimate source for skip-tracing a subject's vehicle ownership?

Accepted Answer

State DMV records (accessed for a permissible purpose under DPPA)

Answer

The subject's medical history

Answer

Social Security Administration records

Answer

Federal tax lien database