Private Investigator Assessment 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 Private Investigator Assessment flashcards as text
A PI conducting surveillance notices the subject has entered a building with a 'No Trespassing' sign. What should the PI do?
Answer: Remain outside and observe from a legal vantage point
A PI must never trespass on private property and should continue surveillance from legally accessible areas only.
Which federal law prohibits a PI from intercepting wire, oral, or electronic communications without authorization?
Answer: Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)
The ECPA prohibits unauthorized interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications by anyone, including private investigators.
A client asks a PI to find out if their neighbor is growing marijuana inside their home. What is the most appropriate first step?
Answer: Conduct surveillance from public areas and document observable activity
PIs should only gather information from lawful vantage points such as public areas without invading the subject's reasonable expectation of privacy.
What does 'chain of custody' mean in the context of evidence collected during a PI investigation?
Answer: The chronological documentation tracking evidence from collection to presentation
Chain of custody is the documented, unbroken record of who collected, handled, transferred, and stored evidence to ensure its integrity.
A PI licensed in Texas is asked to conduct surveillance in Oklahoma. What must the PI do?
Answer: Check whether Oklahoma requires a separate license or reciprocity agreement
PI licensing is state-specific, and a PI must comply with the licensing requirements of each state where they operate.
Which of the following is an example of 'pretext' as used in private investigation?
Answer: Assuming a false identity to elicit information from a subject
Pretext involves using a false identity or scenario to obtain information, which is legal in some contexts but strictly regulated and can be illegal if it involves fraud.
When writing a surveillance log, what information is essential to record for each observation?
Answer: Date, time, location, description of activity, and weather conditions
A complete surveillance log includes objective, factual entries with date, time, location, activity description, and conditions to support legal proceedings.