CPI Surveillance & Undercover Operations Flashcards
6 cards from real CPI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CPI Surveillance & Undercover Operations flashcards as text
Which type of surveillance involves following a subject through public spaces without their knowledge to document activities?
Answer: Mobile surveillance
Mobile surveillance involves an investigator or team physically following and observing a subject through various public locations to document behavior and movements.
In a fixed surveillance operation, what is the primary purpose of conducting a 'pre-surveillance site survey'?
Answer: To identify optimal observation points, potential cover, and escape routes before deploying
A pre-surveillance site survey allows the investigator to select vantage points, assess cover options, anticipate subject movement patterns, and plan for contingencies before the operation begins.
Which legal doctrine most directly limits a private investigator's ability to conduct audio surveillance of conversations in the United States?
Answer: The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) and state wiretapping laws
The ECPA and various state wiretapping statutes prohibit the interception of oral, wire, or electronic communications without the consent of at least one party (federal) or all parties (many states).
When photographing a subject during surveillance in a public space, a CPI investigator must ensure that:
Answer: The photography occurs in areas where the subject has no reasonable expectation of privacy
Photography in public spaces where individuals have no reasonable expectation of privacy is generally permissible under U.S. law, as established through case law and investigative standards.
A CPI investigator conducting vehicle surveillance loses sight of the subject at a traffic light. The best immediate action is to:
Answer: Maintain the last known direction of travel and reacquire using logical route analysis
Applying logical route analysis—considering likely destinations, traffic patterns, and prior behavioral patterns—gives the best chance of reacquiring a lost subject without escalating beyond legal boundaries.
What is the primary risk of 'burning' a surveillance operation, and how should it be managed?
Answer: The subject becomes aware they are being watched; the operation should be suspended and a new approach planned
A burned surveillance means the subject has identified that they are being watched, making continued covert observation impossible and potentially endangering the investigator.