Evidence & Documentation Flashcards
6 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 6 Evidence & Documentation flashcards as text
What is the 'chain of custody' in evidence management?
Answer: A documented record tracking who collected, handled, and stored evidence
Chain of custody is a documented record that tracks every person who collected, handled, transferred, and stored a piece of evidence to ensure its integrity.
Which type of evidence is considered 'direct evidence' in an investigation?
Answer: Evidence that directly proves a fact without requiring inference
Direct evidence directly establishes a fact without requiring the trier of fact to draw any inferences, such as an eyewitness account or a confessional statement.
What is 'circumstantial evidence'?
Answer: Evidence that requires an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact
Circumstantial evidence requires the fact-finder to make an inference to connect it to a conclusion, such as muddy boots near a crime scene suggesting the wearer was there.
When writing an investigation report, which writing style should a PI use?
Answer: Objective, factual, and free of personal conclusions or opinions
PI reports must be objective and factual, recording only observed events and verified facts without personal opinions or conclusions that could be challenged.
What is the purpose of a 'case intake form' at the start of an investigation?
Answer: To document client identity, stated purpose, subject information, and scope of the case
A case intake form documents the client's identity, the stated purpose of the investigation, subject information, and the agreed scope of work.
Photographs taken as evidence should always include:
Answer: Establishing, medium, and close-up shots with timestamps
A complete photographic record includes establishing shots for context, medium shots for orientation, and close-ups for detail, all with timestamps for authentication.