California Private Investigator Practice Exam

What must a private investigator ensure when conducting surveillance?

1. They must inform all parties involved

2. They must avoid confrontations with subjects

3. They must have a license displayed

4. They must take detailed notes of all actions

The correct answer is: They must avoid confrontations with subjects

In the context of conducting surveillance, ensuring avoidance of confrontations with subjects is crucial for several reasons. First, confrontations can lead to compromised investigations and potential escalation of conflicts, which could jeopardize the safety of the investigator and affect the integrity of the surveillance. Remaining inconspicuous is essential to maintain the objective of gathering information without alarming or provoking the subjects involved. Additionally, avoiding confrontations helps to ensure that the investigator does not break laws related to privacy and intimidation, which can vary depending on jurisdiction. By remaining unobtrusive, private investigators are better able to gather accurate information that can be used as evidence, without influencing the behavior of the subjects or alerting them to the investigation. The other options, while relevant in different contexts of private investigation, do not encompass the primary responsibility during the active phase of surveillance as well as the need to avoid confrontation does. For instance, while maintaining detailed notes is important for record-keeping, and being licensed is mandatory, these do not directly pertain to the real-time strategies employed during surveillance activities.