Private Investigator Exam Private Investigator Practice Exam 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A private investigator is hired to conduct surveillance on a subject. The subject moves to a location where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. What should the PI do?
- Continue surveillance using zoom lenses
- Cease surveillance and document the location change (Correct answer)
- Enter the premises with the client's written permission
- Set up audio recording equipment nearby
Correct answer: Cease surveillance and document the location change
When a subject enters a location with a reasonable expectation of privacy, a PI must cease surveillance to avoid violating wiretapping and privacy laws.
Question 2: Which of the following is the MOST reliable method for a PI to authenticate the chain of custody for evidence?
- Verbal testimony from the client
- Continuous, documented handling records from collection to presentation (Correct answer)
- A signed statement from the subject of investigation
- Photographs taken at the scene without timestamps
Correct answer: Continuous, documented handling records from collection to presentation
A documented chain of custody with continuous records from collection through presentation ensures evidence integrity and admissibility.
Question 3: A PI is asked to locate a missing person who is an adult. Which resource is generally NOT available to a licensed PI for locating individuals?
- Social media searches
- Public court records
- Law enforcement criminal databases (NCIC) (Correct answer)
- Skip tracing services
Correct answer: Law enforcement criminal databases (NCIC)
The NCIC (National Crime Information Center) is restricted to law enforcement agencies and is not accessible to private investigators.
Question 4: When conducting a background check, a PI discovers that a potential employee has a sealed juvenile record. How should the PI handle this?
- Include it in the report since the client needs full information
- Exclude it because sealed records cannot legally be disclosed in most jurisdictions (Correct answer)
- Report it only if the offense was violent
- Ask the subject to voluntarily disclose it
Correct answer: Exclude it because sealed records cannot legally be disclosed in most jurisdictions
Sealed juvenile records are legally protected and cannot be disclosed by a PI without violating privacy laws in most jurisdictions.
Question 5: A PI is hired for a workers' compensation fraud investigation. Which of the following surveillance activities would MOST likely hold up as admissible evidence?
- Recording the subject through their bedroom window
- Video of the subject performing physical activities in a public park (Correct answer)
- Accessing the subject's private social media with a fake profile
- Interviewing the subject's doctor without consent
Correct answer: Video of the subject performing physical activities in a public park
Video recorded in a public place where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy is generally admissible as evidence.
Question 6: What is 'pretext' in the context of private investigation, and when can it be legally problematic?
- A legal court order authorizing investigation
- Using a false identity or story to elicit information, which can violate laws when used to obtain financial or medical records (Correct answer)
- A written authorization from the client to investigate
- A technique for verifying public records
Correct answer: Using a false identity or story to elicit information, which can violate laws when used to obtain financial or medical records
Pretext involves using deception to gather information and is specifically prohibited under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act for obtaining financial records.
Question 7: A PI receives a subpoena to testify about their investigation. Which of the following best describes their obligation?
- They can refuse all testimony to protect client confidentiality
- They must comply with the subpoena and testify truthfully (Correct answer)
- They can only testify if the client grants permission
- They are exempt from subpoenas as investigators
Correct answer: They must comply with the subpoena and testify truthfully
A legally issued subpoena compels testimony, and a PI must comply and testify truthfully, though they may consult an attorney about scope.
Private Investigator Exam Private Investigator Practice Exam 2
A private investigator is hired to conduct surveillance on a subject.
The subject moves to a location where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
What should the PI do?