Investigation Procedures & Methods Flashcards
7 cards from real FBI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Investigation Procedures & Methods flashcards as text
Which FBI investigative guideline framework governs the opening, conduct, and closing of domestic investigations?
Answer: The Attorney General's Guidelines for Domestic FBI Operations (AGG-DOM)
The AGG-DOM, issued by the Attorney General, sets the legal and policy framework for all domestic FBI investigative activities.
In a multi-jurisdictional kidnapping case, the FBI's legal authority to intervene derives primarily from:
Answer: The Federal Kidnapping Act (Lindbergh Law), 18 U.S.C. § 1201
The Federal Kidnapping Act grants FBI jurisdiction when a victim is transported across state lines or when 24 hours have elapsed and interstate travel is presumed.
During a cyber intrusion investigation, the FBI needs to preserve volatile data on a running server. What should be done FIRST?
Answer: Capture a forensic image of live memory (RAM) before any other action
Volatile memory (RAM) contains running processes, encryption keys, and network connections that are lost upon shutdown, so it must be captured first.
An FBI agent conducting a national security investigation wants to compel production of business records from a third party. The appropriate legal tool under FISA is:
Answer: A FISA Section 215 business records order
Section 215 of FISA (50 U.S.C. § 1861) authorizes the FBI to apply to the FISA Court for an order compelling production of tangible things in national security investigations.
A subject of an FBI investigation invokes their right to counsel during a custodial interview. The agent must:
Answer: Immediately cease all interrogation until counsel is present or the subject reinitiates contact
Under Edwards v. Arizona, once a suspect invokes the right to counsel, all interrogation must stop until an attorney is present or the suspect voluntarily reinitiates communication.
What is the primary legal significance of exculpatory evidence in an FBI criminal investigation?
Answer: It must be disclosed to the defense under Brady v. Maryland
Brady v. Maryland requires prosecutors (and by extension investigating agents) to disclose material exculpatory evidence to the defense, regardless of prosecutorial intent.
When the FBI uses a confidential informant to make a controlled purchase of narcotics, the informant should be searched:
Answer: Before and after the controlled buy to establish integrity of the operation
Pre- and post-buy searches establish that the informant carried no contraband into the meeting and that purchased drugs came exclusively from the target.