MO Private Investigator flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Chain of custody

A chronological written record documenting every transfer and storage of evidence, including who handled it, when, and why, used to prove evidence has not been altered.

Preliminary investigation

The first phase of a case: securing the scene, identifying witnesses, preserving evidence, and gathering initial facts before follow-up work begins.

Interview versus interrogation

An interview is non-accusatory fact gathering from any person; an interrogation is accusatory questioning of a subject after probable cause has focused on that person.

Static surveillance

Observation from a fixed location, such as a parked vehicle or rented room, used to document activity at a specific address or location over time.

Skip tracing

The process of locating a person using public records, databases, interviews, and surveillance, typically to find a debtor, witness, or missing person.

Statute of limitations

A statutory deadline limiting the time within which a legal action or prosecution may be filed; investigators must confirm it before committing resources.

Canvass

A systematic effort to locate witnesses or information by contacting people in a defined area, such as neighbors or businesses near a scene.

Surveillance log

A contemporaneous record of surveillance activity noting time, location, subject description, actions observed, and any breaks in observation.

Chapter 324 RSMo

The Missouri statute chapter governing licensed professions, including the private investigator licensing provisions administered by the state board.

PI license requirement

Missouri requires a license to engage in or advertise private investigator services; performing those services without a license is a violation subject to discipline.

Continuing education

Board-approved education hours a licensee must complete each renewal cycle; certificates should be retained because the board may audit compliance.

License renewal

The periodic process of renewing a private investigator license; operating after expiration constitutes unlicensed activity and grounds for discipline.

Board notification duty

A licensee must inform the board of changes such as name, address, or qualifying status within the timeframe set by board rule.

Firearms authority

Carrying a firearm is governed by separate law from the PI license; holding a PI license alone does not authorize carrying a weapon.

Record retention

Case files, contracts, and evidence records must be kept for the period set by statute or board rule and produced on lawful request.

Unlicensed activity

Providing private investigator services or advertising them without a valid Missouri license, which is a violation subject to board discipline.

Good moral character

A licensing standard requiring applicants to demonstrate honesty and law-abiding conduct, typically assessed through background checks and disclosures.

Best evidence rule

A rule requiring the original writing, recording, or photograph to prove its content, unless a recognized exception permits secondary evidence.

Hearsay

An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted; generally inadmissible unless an exception applies.

Relevance

Evidence is relevant if it tends to make a fact of consequence more or less probable than it would be without the evidence.

Authentication

The process of proving that an item of evidence is what its proponent claims it to be, often supported by chain of custody testimony.

Contemporaneous notes

Notes taken at or near the time of an event; they form the basis of the final report and may be discoverable, so they should not be destroyed.

Report structure

A factual format covering who, what, when, where, how, and actions taken, written in first person and past tense without opinion or speculation.

Evidence log fields

Item number, description, source, date and time collected, collector, storage location, and disposition, recorded for every item of evidence.

Attorney work product

Materials prepared in anticipation of litigation, which are generally protected from disclosure; investigators should not reveal them without authorization.

Photograph documentation

Recording date, time, location, camera, and photographer for each image, and preserving originals and metadata without alteration.

Fiduciary duty

The obligation to act in the client's lawful interest, disclose conflicts, and refuse any fee conditioned on unlawful conduct.

Impersonating law enforcement

Falsely claiming or implying police authority, which is prohibited and may be a criminal offense as well as a licensing violation.

Pretexting

Obtaining information by false pretenses, such as impersonating someone to get financial records; prohibited where it violates law or board rules.

Confidentiality duty

Client information must remain confidential, with disclosure permitted only by consent, legal requirement, or to prevent imminent serious harm.

Conflict of interest

A situation where personal or financial interests compromise objectivity, such as representing both sides of a matter; the investigator must decline or withdraw.

Engagement contract

A written agreement before work begins covering scope, fees, expenses, termination, confidentiality, and deliverables, protecting both client and investigator.

Testimony ethics

A witness should testify only to personally observed or verified facts and clearly distinguish that knowledge from information learned from others.