Surveillance, Interviewing, and Investigative Techniques
What the exam tests
This domain tests planning and execution: lawful surveillance, reliable interviews, and documentation that survives scrutiny. Kentucky licensees must gather information without harassment, trespass, or improper recording, and must distinguish what they saw from what they inferred.
Techniques
- Plan surveillance with legal vantage points, time logs, vehicle and description notes, and contingency for detection.
- Use video and still images with time stamps; note gaps and weather or lighting.
- Interview with open-ended questions first, then narrow; build rapport; avoid leading or promises.
- Record interviews only with required consent; document date, time, place, participants, and interpreter.
- Corroborate admissions with records or witnesses; do not rely on a single pressured statement.
Worked example
A witness says, “I think he left around eight, maybe earlier.” A weak report says, “Witness confirmed subject left at 8:00.” A strong report says, “Witness estimated departure ‘around eight, maybe earlier’; witness did not see the vehicle.” The reasoning preserves uncertainty and avoids converting an estimate into a fact. The investigator then checks camera footage to corroborate.
Traps
Leading the witness to the client’s theory; promising confidentiality you cannot keep; surveillance from private property without consent; and treating a long gap in footage as proof of absence.