Private Investigator Exam Surveillance Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of surveillance involves monitoring a subject's online activity and social media presence?
- Physical surveillance
- Electronic surveillance
- Open-source intelligence (OSINT) (Correct answer)
- Aerial surveillance
Correct answer: Open-source intelligence (OSINT)
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) involves gathering information from publicly available online sources including social media, public records, and websites.
Question 2: A 'pretext call' in investigation work refers to:
- A court-ordered wiretap
- Calling someone under a false identity to obtain information (Correct answer)
- A call placed before a subject interview
- A recorded call with client permission
Correct answer: Calling someone under a false identity to obtain information
A pretext call involves the investigator calling a subject or third party under a false identity or pretense to obtain information.
Question 3: When conducting aerial or drone surveillance in the US, investigators must comply with regulations from which federal agency?
- DEA
- FCC
- FAA (Correct answer)
- OSHA
Correct answer: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates drone operations in US airspace, requiring operators to follow Part 107 rules.
Question 4: Which surveillance log entry is most critical for documenting a subject's activity?
- Investigator's personal opinion of the subject
- Date, time, location, and description of observed activity (Correct answer)
- Client's requested outcome
- License plate numbers of all nearby vehicles
Correct answer: Date, time, location, and description of observed activity
Accurate logs must include date, time, location, and an objective description of activity to be admissible and useful in legal proceedings.
Question 5: What is 'counter-surveillance' in the context of a private investigation?
- Surveilling the client to verify their story
- Detecting whether the subject or others are monitoring the investigator (Correct answer)
- Installing cameras at the client's property
- Using a second investigator to verify findings
Correct answer: Detecting whether the subject or others are monitoring the investigator
Counter-surveillance involves techniques used to detect whether the investigator is being watched or followed during an operation.
Question 6: In a workers' compensation fraud investigation, what type of surveillance is most commonly used?
- Electronic wiretapping
- Mobile and fixed video surveillance (Correct answer)
- Polygraph examination
- Undercover infiltration
Correct answer: Mobile and fixed video surveillance
Mobile and fixed video surveillance is used to document whether the claimant is performing physical activities inconsistent with their claimed disability.
Private Investigator Exam Surveillance Techniques 2
What type of surveillance involves monitoring a subject's online activity and social media presence?