Professional Ethics, Conduct, and Reporting
This domain tests the standards of honesty, confidentiality, and objectivity that apply to investigative work, and the reporting habits that keep a file credible in court.
Core duties
Be truthful with clients, courts, and opposing parties. Do not fabricate evidence, backdate notes, or overstate what a source said. Never impersonate law enforcement or a government official. Do not ask anyone to break the law on your behalf, and do not advise clients on legal strategy - that is the lawyer's role.
Confidentiality and conflicts
Client information is confidential; disclose only as authorized or required by law, and secure files in storage and transmission. Screen for conflicts before accepting a matter - do not investigate an adverse party in a case where you already serve the other side. When working for a law firm, follow the lawyer's ethical constraints; a PI who contacts a represented opposing party can create a violation for the attorney who retained them.
Reporting and testimony
Reports should be timely, sourced, and clearly separated into observation, documentation, and opinion. Identify each source, note refusals and gaps, and state the limits of what you did. Preserve drafts and originals. If you later learn a report contains an error, correct it in writing promptly. Testimony should track your notes; do not testify beyond what the file supports.
Worked example
A witness tells you the subject "seemed drunk" when he signed the document. Your report should say: "Witness stated the subject smelled of alcohol and slurred his words; witness declined to sign a written statement." Do not write "subject was intoxicated" - that is an inference you did not verify and cannot defend.
Traps
Writing reports that please the client rather than record the facts; omitting unfavorable observations; destroying notes after a report is typed; discussing a case with unauthorized third parties; and billing for work that was not performed.