Private Investigator Exam Background Investigations 2

Question 1

Which type of commercial database do private investigators most commonly use to search a subject's address history, phone numbers, relatives, and associates?

Accepted Answer

Commercial aggregator databases such as Accurint or TLO

Answer

PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records)

Answer

National Practitioner Data Bank

Answer

SORNA national sex offender registry

Question 2

In the context of background investigations, 'due diligence' is best defined as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A thorough and reasonable investigation proportional to the risk level of the situation

Answer

Following all mandated surveillance protocols without deviation

Answer

Obtaining a court order prior to accessing any public records

Answer

Providing advance notice to a subject before beginning an investigation

Question 3

Which federal database provides public access to civil judgments, liens, and bankruptcy cases filed in federal courts?

Accepted Answer

PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records)

Answer

NCIC (National Crime Information Center)

Answer

FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network)

Answer

NLETS (National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System)

Question 4

When verifying a subject's claimed military service, which agency or repository should a PI contact to obtain official confirmation?

Accepted Answer

National Personnel Records Center (National Archives)

Answer

Department of Homeland Security

Answer

Veterans Administration regional office

Answer

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of conducting a social media background check as part of a broader background investigation?

Accepted Answer

To gather publicly available information about character, behavior, and associations

Answer

To obtain the subject's real-time GPS location data

Answer

To access the subject's private messages without a warrant

Answer

To verify employment by reviewing the subject's LinkedIn connections

Question 6

Under what legal circumstance may a private investigator lawfully access sealed court records?

Accepted Answer

Only pursuant to a valid court order

Answer

When hired directly by a law enforcement agency

Answer

With written consent from the subject of the records

Answer

When conducting a federally mandated pre-employment background check

Question 7

Which type of lien appearing in a property records search would indicate that a subject has unpaid federal or state taxes?

Accepted Answer

Tax lien filed by a government authority

Answer

Mechanic's lien

Answer

Judgment lien from civil litigation

Answer

Lis pendens notice