Investigative Techniques & Methodology Flashcards
7 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 7 Investigative Techniques & Methodology flashcards as text
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a pretext interview?
Answer: Interviewing under a false identity or scenario to obtain information
A pretext interview involves the investigator using a fictitious reason or identity to gather information that would otherwise not be disclosed.
During physical surveillance, a 'three-vehicle box' formation is used PRIMARILY to:
Answer: Maintain continuous coverage of a subject while reducing detection risk
A three-vehicle box allows multiple surveillance vehicles to rotate coverage positions, keeping the subject in sight while reducing the chance any single vehicle is made.
When writing an investigative report, the MOST important characteristic is:
Answer: Objectivity and factual accuracy
Investigative reports must be objective and factually accurate to withstand legal scrutiny and maintain the investigator's credibility.
An investigator conducting workers' compensation fraud surveillance observes the claimant performing activities inconsistent with reported injuries. The FIRST action should be to:
Answer: Document the observation with video and written notes
Contemporaneous documentation—video and written notes—preserves evidence in its most credible form before any other action is taken.
The 'funnel approach' in investigative interviewing refers to:
Answer: Starting with broad, open-ended questions and narrowing to specific, closed questions
The funnel approach maximizes narrative from the interviewee by first using open questions, then progressively narrowing to specific details.
In digital forensics investigations, 'write blocking' devices are used to:
Answer: Ensure that examination of digital media does not alter the original data
Write blockers prevent any data from being written to the original media during forensic examination, preserving evidentiary integrity.
Which legal concept requires investigators to establish that evidence was handled and preserved without tampering from the time of collection to its presentation?
Answer: Chain of custody
Chain of custody documents every person who handled evidence and every transfer, establishing that the evidence presented is unaltered.