Guide Flashcards
7 cards from real Private Investigator Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Guide flashcards as text
When conducting surveillance, a private investigator should avoid which of the following?
Answer: Following the subject into a private residence without consent
Entering a private residence without consent is trespassing and illegal, regardless of investigative purpose.
Which legal doctrine governs the admissibility of illegally obtained evidence in civil PI cases?
Answer: Fruit of the poisonous tree
The 'fruit of the poisonous tree' doctrine holds that evidence derived from illegal actions may be inadmissible in court.
A client asks a PI to find information about a person's medical history. What is the appropriate response?
Answer: Decline unless proper legal authorization exists, such as a signed HIPAA release
Medical records are protected under HIPAA, and a PI must have proper legal authorization such as a signed release to access them.
In the context of PI work, what does 'pretext' refer to?
Answer: A false identity or scenario used to elicit information
Pretext involves using a fabricated identity or story to obtain information, which can be legal in some contexts but illegal in others.
Which of the following best describes the duty of a PI when handling client information?
Answer: Maintain strict confidentiality and disclose only as authorized or required by law
PIs have a professional and legal obligation to keep client information confidential except where disclosure is legally required.
What is the primary purpose of maintaining a detailed activity log during an investigation?
Answer: To create a legal record of investigative actions that can support findings in court
A detailed activity log documents the investigator's actions, times, and observations, providing credibility and admissibility support in legal proceedings.
When photographing a subject in public, which of the following is generally permissible without a court order?
Answer: Photographing the subject walking on a public sidewalk
Individuals in public spaces have a reduced expectation of privacy, making photography of a subject on a public sidewalk generally lawful.