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 discovers that their client is actually using the investigation to harass an ex-partner. What is the ethical obligation?
Answer: Withdraw from the case and potentially report the situation to authorities
A PI must not knowingly participate in illegal or unethical activities, including facilitating harassment, and should withdraw and may have a duty to report.
What is 'skip tracing' in private investigation?
Answer: Locating a person who has left without a forwarding address
Skip tracing is the process of locating a person who has 'skipped' (left) their known location, often used in debt collection and missing persons cases.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), when can a PI legally obtain a consumer credit report?
Answer: Only for permissible purposes such as employment screening or court orders
The FCRA strictly limits access to consumer credit reports to specific permissible purposes defined by law, regardless of a PI's professional status.
A PI is hired to locate a biological parent for an adoptee. Which database is NOT typically accessible to private investigators?
Answer: National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
NCIC is a restricted law enforcement database that private investigators cannot legally access without law enforcement authorization.
What is the primary purpose of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) between a PI and a client?
Answer: To protect confidential information shared during the investigation
An NDA ensures that sensitive information exchanged between the PI and client remains confidential and is not disclosed to unauthorized parties.
During a workers' compensation fraud investigation, a PI films a subject lifting heavy boxes, contradicting their injury claim. Where should the PI film from?
Answer: From a public street or other legally accessible area
PIs must record only from areas where they have legal access, as filming from private property without consent violates privacy laws.
Which of the following best describes 'counter-surveillance'?
Answer: Detecting and neutralizing surveillance being conducted on oneself or a client
Counter-surveillance involves techniques to detect, identify, and evade surveillance being conducted against a person or organization.