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OH Private Investigator practice questions

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Question 1Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

Which Ohio department houses the Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS) section that administers private investigator licensing?

  1. Ohio Secretary of State's Office
  2. Ohio Attorney General's Office
  3. Ohio Department of Public Safety Correct answer.
  4. Ohio Department of Commerce

Explanation

PISGS is administered within the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and the Director of Public Safety oversees licensing under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4749 and Ohio Administrative Code Title 4501:5. The other departments have different regulatory responsibilities.

Question 2Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

Which PISGS license class authorizes an individual person to perform private investigation services?

  1. Class A
  2. Class B
  3. Class C Correct answer.
  4. Class D

Explanation

A Class C license is the individual private investigator license. Class A is for a private investigator company, Class B is for a security guard company, and Class D is for an individual security guard.

Question 3Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A business that contracts with clients to provide private investigation services must hold which license class?

  1. Class D
  2. Class A Correct answer.
  3. Class C
  4. Class B

Explanation

A Class A license authorizes a company to engage in the private investigation business. Individual investigators employed by the company must separately hold the appropriate individual credential.

Question 4Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

Which license class applies to an individual employed to perform security guard services?

  1. Class D Correct answer.
  2. Class B
  3. Class C
  4. Class A

Explanation

Class D is the individual security guard license. Class B is the security guard company license, while Class A and Class C relate to private investigation companies and individual investigators.

Question 5Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

While performing private investigation duties, a licensed investigator generally must carry what?

  1. A copy of the Ohio Revised Code
  2. A letter from the client
  3. The PISGS-issued credential Correct answer.
  4. A surety bond certificate

Explanation

Licensees and registered employees must carry their PISGS-issued credential while on duty and be able to present it upon proper request. Client letters and bond documents are not substitutes for the credential.

Question 6Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

Ohio law prohibits a private investigator from doing which of the following?

  1. Reviewing publicly available court records
  2. Photographing a public street
  3. Interviewing a willing witness
  4. Claiming to be a law enforcement officer Correct answer.

Explanation

A private investigator may not impersonate or represent himself or herself as a law enforcement officer. Lawful investigative activities such as interviewing willing witnesses and reviewing public records are not prohibited by that rule.

Question 7Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

How many hours of continuing professional training must a licensed private investigator complete in each two-year cycle?

  1. 16 hours Correct answer.
  2. 40 hours
  3. 8 hours
  4. 4 hours

Explanation

Ohio requires licensed private investigators to complete 16 hours of continuing professional training every two years. The requirement helps ensure investigators remain current on legal and professional standards.

Question 8Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

PISGS licenses are subject to annual renewal. What is the standard expiration date for these licenses?

  1. June 30
  2. January 1
  3. December 31
  4. March 31 Correct answer.

Explanation

PISGS licenses expire annually on March 31 and must be renewed to continue regulated activity. Renewal also involves satisfying applicable training and fee requirements.

Question 9Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A Class A private investigator company wants to assign a newly hired investigator to a client matter. Before the employee performs investigative work, the company must ensure that the employee...

  1. holds the required PISGS individual credential Correct answer.
  2. has completed ten years of investigative work
  3. has signed a company noncompete agreement
  4. has obtained a county peddler's permit

Explanation

A licensed company may provide private investigation services only through individuals who hold the required PISGS license or registration. Employment paperwork or local permits do not substitute for the state credential.

Question 10Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A licensed private investigator moves her business office to a new address. Under PISGS rules, she generally must...

  1. notify PISGS within the required period Correct answer.
  2. notify only her current clients
  3. wait until the next renewal to report the change
  4. file a new county criminal-records check

Explanation

Licensees must keep PISGS informed of changes to required licensing information, including an address change, within the time allowed by rule. Waiting for renewal or telling only clients does not satisfy that duty.

Question 11Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

What information must a licensed private investigator company include in advertisements for its services?

  1. The home address of the owner
  2. The number of employees
  3. The names of all clients
  4. Its PISGS license number Correct answer.

Explanation

Advertisements for regulated private investigation services must include the company's PISGS license number so the public can verify licensure. Client names and employee counts are not required advertising disclosures.

Question 12Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

How long must a private investigator licensee generally retain records related to investigations?

  1. At least two years Correct answer.
  2. 30 days
  3. 6 months
  4. 10 years

Explanation

PISGS recordkeeping rules generally require investigation records to be retained for at least two years and made available for inspection. Shorter retention periods would not meet that standard.

Question 13Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A private investigator wants to carry a firearm while performing investigative work in Ohio. What must the investigator have?

  1. A federal private investigator license
  2. A written letter of permission from the client
  3. Only a concealed handgun license
  4. A PISGS firearm-bearer authorization Correct answer.

Explanation

Carrying a firearm in regulated private investigation work requires PISGS firearm-bearer authorization and completion of the required training. A concealed handgun license or client permission alone does not satisfy the PISGS requirement.

Question 14Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

Engaging in private investigation for hire without the required Ohio license is...

  1. permitted if the investigator works for an out-of-state firm
  2. a criminal offense under Ohio law Correct answer.
  3. a civil infraction only
  4. permitted if no fee exceeds $500

Explanation

Unlicensed private investigation activity is prohibited and carries criminal penalties under Ohio law. Working for an out-of-state employer or charging a low fee does not create an exemption.

Question 15Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

Which person is most likely exempt from Ohio's private investigator licensing requirement when acting within the scope of professional duties?

  1. A person who locates missing persons for a fee
  2. A person who conducts background checks for clients
  3. An attorney practicing law Correct answer.
  4. A person who investigates insurance claims for a fee

Explanation

Ohio's private investigator statute contains exemptions for certain professionals acting within their professional scope, including attorneys engaged in the practice of law. Paid investigative services for clients generally require licensure unless a specific exemption applies.

Question 16Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A licensed private investigator is convicted of a felony. What is the investigator's obligation to PISGS?

  1. Report it only at the next renewal
  2. Notify PISGS within the required time Correct answer.
  3. Report it only if the client asks
  4. No action is required if the conviction is on appeal

Explanation

Licensees must notify PISGS of a conviction that affects licensure eligibility within the time required by rule. Failure to report can result in separate disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation.

Question 17Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A Class A private investigator company's qualifying individual leaves the company. What must the company do to remain compliant?

  1. Continue operating indefinitely without a qualifier
  2. Convert automatically to a Class C license
  3. Transfer the license to any employee
  4. Notify PISGS and replace the qualifier as required Correct answer.

Explanation

A company license depends on maintaining the qualifying individual required by PISGS rules. The company must notify PISGS and obtain a replacement within the required framework rather than operating without a qualifier.

Question 18Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

Ohio's private investigator licensing statute applies to a person who, for hire, does which of the following?

  1. Testifies at a deposition as a fact witness
  2. Files a court document as a party
  3. Serves as a witness in a pending court case
  4. Obtains character information for a fee Correct answer.

Explanation

The statutory definition of private investigation includes obtaining information about a person's character, habits, conduct, and similar matters for hire. Serving as a witness or filing documents as a party is not private investigation.

Question 19Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A private investigator may use which item while on duty?

  1. A plain identification card showing PISGS status Correct answer.
  2. A badge inscribed 'Ohio Police'
  3. A uniform identical to a county sheriff's deputy
  4. A vehicle marked 'State Investigator'

Explanation

Investigators may use ordinary professional identification that accurately identifies their PISGS status. They may not use badges, uniforms, or vehicle markings that falsely suggest they are law enforcement or government investigators.

Question 20Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

Which statement best describes PISGS registration of an employee who works for a licensed private investigator company?

  1. It is optional for employees with college degrees
  2. It lets the employee open an independent PI company
  3. It is the same as holding a Class C license
  4. It is tied to employment with the licensed company Correct answer.

Explanation

Employee registration is linked to employment with a licensed company and authorizes work in that employment relationship. It is not an independent private investigator license and does not permit the employee to operate a separate company.

Question 21Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A Class A private investigator company generally must maintain what financial protection for the benefit of clients?

  1. The bond or insurance required by PISGS Correct answer.
  2. A letter of credit from each client
  3. A client escrow account
  4. A personal savings account

Explanation

Licensed private investigator companies must maintain the surety bond or insurance required by PISGS rules. This financial responsibility requirement protects clients and the public.

Question 22Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

Which requirement must an individual generally satisfy before PISGS issues a private investigator license?

  1. A federal security clearance
  2. Ownership of a firearm
  3. Meeting the statutory qualification requirements Correct answer.
  4. Membership in a trade association

Explanation

An applicant must meet the statutory age, education or experience, background, examination, and other qualification requirements set by Ohio law and PISGS rules. Trade association membership, federal clearance, and firearm ownership are not general prerequisites.

Question 23Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A licensed private investigator company may provide services through which persons?

  1. Only properly licensed or registered individuals Correct answer.
  2. Any person supervised by a client
  3. Any independent contractor who signs a confidentiality agreement
  4. Only the company owner

Explanation

Regulated services must be performed by individuals who hold the appropriate PISGS license or registration. Confidentiality agreements or client supervision do not substitute for the required state credential.

Question 24Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A private investigator is hired to obtain information about a subject. Which action would violate Ohio licensing standards?

  1. Falsely claiming to be a government agent Correct answer.
  2. Photographing a public sidewalk
  3. Interviewing a consenting witness
  4. Reviewing public court records

Explanation

Falsely claiming to be a government agent is prohibited misrepresentation and can also constitute impersonation. Lawful investigative steps such as reviewing public records and interviewing consenting witnesses are not prohibited by that rule.

Question 25Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

Before performing security guard duties for a licensed company, an individual security guard generally must complete...

  1. A real estate course
  2. PISGS-required pre-assignment training Correct answer.
  3. A firearms course even if unarmed
  4. A four-year college degree

Explanation

Security guards must complete the pre-assignment training required by PISGS rules before performing guard duties. Unarmed guards are not required to complete firearms training solely because they hold a guard credential.

Question 26Ohio licensing law and PISGS rules (Ohio Revised Code / Administrative Code Title 4501:5)

A licensed private investigator operates a company that currently performs only investigative work for hire. The company's owner wants to begin offering on-site guard services to retail clients. What must the company do before providing those services?

  1. The company must obtain a separate Ohio security guard company license before offering those services. Correct answer.
  2. Nothing additional is required, because a private investigator company license authorizes any protective service performed for hire.
  3. The company may begin immediately if each guard is accompanied by a licensed private investigator while on assignment.
  4. The company may begin after mailing PISGS a written notice describing the expanded scope of services.

Explanation

Ohio law licenses private investigation companies and security guard companies as distinct categories, so authority to investigate does not carry with it authority to furnish guards. The company must hold the appropriate security guard company license, and the individuals performing guard duties must be registered as required, before the services are offered. Notifying the regulator does not expand the scope of an existing license.

Question 27Investigative techniques and case management

Under Ohio law, when may an investigator record a telephone conversation with a subject without informing the subject?

  1. Only after obtaining a court order
  2. Never, because Ohio requires the consent of both parties
  3. Only when both parties are physically in Ohio
  4. When the investigator is a party to the call Correct answer.

Explanation

Ohio is a one-party-consent state under ORC 2933.52: a person who is a party to a communication may record it without the other party's knowledge or consent. Recording a conversation to which the investigator is not a party is an unlawful interception.

Question 28Investigative techniques and case management

Which entry is written in the proper objective style for an investigative report?

  1. At 1412 hours the subject left in a gray sedan. Correct answer.
  2. I felt the subject was hiding something from me.
  3. The subject acted like a typical deadbeat.
  4. The subject was obviously nervous and probably lying about his address.

Explanation

Reports should record observable facts such as times, actions, and descriptions in neutral language. Conclusions about truthfulness, character labels, and hunches belong in a separate analysis section, if included at all.

Question 29Investigative techniques and case management

A properly maintained chain of custody is primarily intended to do which of the following?

  1. Show the item was continuously accounted for Correct answer.
  2. Prove the investigator acted under a warrant
  3. Establish the investigator's billable hours
  4. Satisfy insurance reporting requirements

Explanation

Chain of custody is the documented record of who handled an item, when, and where, so a court can see it was not altered, substituted, or tampered with. Unexplained gaps invite challenges to authenticity and can lead to exclusion.

Question 30Investigative techniques and case management

In a moving surveillance using several units, 'leapfrogging' refers to which practice?

  1. Using an aircraft to keep visual contact
  2. Driving far ahead and waiting at intersections
  3. Following the subject at a constant distance in one vehicle
  4. Rotating vehicles so no unit trails the subject for long Correct answer.

Explanation

Leapfrogging rotates pursuit positions among several units so the subject does not see the same vehicle repeatedly, reducing the chance of being detected. Units move in and out of the follow position as traffic and route allow.

Question 31Investigative techniques and case management

Which type of question is ordinarily best to open a witness interview?

  1. A multiple-choice question with two options
  2. A leading question that suggests the answer
  3. An open-ended question inviting a narrative Correct answer.
  4. A confrontational question about inconsistencies

Explanation

Open-ended questions let the witness give an uninterrupted account in their own words, which generally yields more accurate and complete information. Details are filled in with more specific questions afterward.

Question 32Investigative techniques and case management

An investigator is hired to conduct a pre-employment background investigation on a job applicant. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, what must the employer generally do before the report is obtained?

  1. Obtain a court order authorizing the report
  2. Provide a written disclosure and get written consent Correct answer.
  3. File a copy of the report with a credit bureau
  4. Notify the applicant's current employer

Explanation

The FCRA requires a clear, stand-alone written disclosure and the consumer's written authorization before a consumer report is procured for employment purposes. Investigative consumer reports, which include interviews with third parties, carry additional disclosure requirements.

Question 33Investigative techniques and case management

An investigator wants a subject's cell phone call records and considers calling the carrier while posing as the account holder. Which statement is correct?

  1. It is permitted if the investigator holds a valid Ohio PI license
  2. Federal law bans obtaining phone records by pretext Correct answer.
  3. It is permitted if the carrier is notified in writing afterward
  4. It is permitted if the records are used only in a civil case

Explanation

The federal Telephone Records and Privacy Protection Act makes it a crime to obtain confidential telephone records by fraud or false pretenses, and state law may add penalties. Holding a license is not a defense to fraud.

Question 34Investigative techniques and case management

A private investigator retained by a civil litigant enters an unoccupied warehouse through an unlocked door and photographs inventory without consent. Which statement best describes the legal position?

  1. The Fourth Amendment bars the search because the investigator is professionally licensed
  2. No exclusionary rule applies, but trespass liability may Correct answer.
  3. The Fourth Amendment authorizes the entry because the door was unlocked
  4. The evidence must be excluded under the exclusionary rule

Explanation

The Fourth Amendment and its exclusionary rule constrain government action; a purely private investigator is not a state actor, so suppression generally does not follow. That does not make the entry lawful, because trespass, invasion of privacy, and statutory claims may still arise.

Question 35Investigative techniques and case management

When only a name and a last known address are available, which is generally the most productive first step in a skip trace?

  1. Sending friend requests to the subject's relatives under a false identity
  2. Posting the subject's photograph on a public bulletin board
  3. Verifying identifiers through public and commercial records Correct answer.
  4. Calling every number with the same last name in the phone book

Explanation

Skip tracing works by building a verified identifier set, such as full name, date of birth, prior addresses, and partial identifiers, then cross-checking it against public and commercial records. Verified data prevents the investigator from pursuing the wrong person with the same name.

Question 36Investigative techniques and case management

An investigator requests a motor vehicle record from the Ohio BMV for a licensed investigative purpose. Under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the request must meet which requirement?

  1. It must be accompanied by a judge's signature
  2. The subject must be notified within 30 days
  3. The record must be requested in person
  4. The investigator must certify a permissible use Correct answer.

Explanation

The DPPA allows disclosure of motor vehicle records only for enumerated permissible purposes, and the requester must certify that purpose. A licensed investigation conducted for a permissible purpose can qualify.

Question 37Investigative techniques and case management

Which practice best preserves the evidentiary value of surveillance video?

  1. Uploading it to a personal social media account for backup
  2. Preserving the original file and logging its time and source Correct answer.
  3. Editing out irrelevant footage before delivery
  4. Re-recording the original to remove time-code gaps

Explanation

Originals should never be altered; the investigator documents how, when, and with what equipment the recording was made so a foundation can be laid at trial. Review copies are made from the preserved original.

Question 38Investigative techniques and case management

Which statement about an investigator's field notes is most accurate?

  1. They are privileged and can never be requested in litigation
  2. They may be rewritten from memory weeks later
  3. They should be destroyed once the final report is written
  4. They may be discoverable, so keep them accurate and dated Correct answer.

Explanation

Field notes are business records that may be demanded in discovery and used to impeach the investigator at deposition or trial. They should be contemporaneous, dated, and retained under the case file retention policy.

Question 39Investigative techniques and case management

To reduce the risk of contaminating an eyewitness's memory during an identification procedure, the investigator should do which of the following?

  1. Tell the witness which person is already a suspect
  2. Use a double-blind lineup procedure Correct answer.
  3. Ask leading questions to speed up the identification
  4. Show the witness a single photograph and ask for confirmation

Explanation

Double-blind administration, where the person running the lineup does not know which member is the suspect, prevents inadvertent cues to the witness. Witnesses should also be told that the perpetrator may or may not be present in the procedure.

Question 40Investigative techniques and case management

Why should the scope of work be defined in writing at the outset of an engagement?

  1. It aligns client expectations and limits liability Correct answer.
  2. It replaces the need for an engagement letter
  3. It guarantees the investigation will be admissible in court
  4. It transfers the investigator's licensing duties to the client

Explanation

A written scope defines objectives, deliverables, limits, and fees, protecting both parties when a client later requests work that was never authorized. It also frames the authorization for activities such as record requests or interviews.

Question 41Investigative techniques and case management

During an undercover workplace investigation, the investigator proposes a theft scheme and repeatedly pressures an employee to join it. Which statement is most accurate?

  1. Entrapment applies because the investigator held a position of authority
  2. There is no legal issue because entrapment never applies in civil matters
  3. Entrapment is a defense to government action, not private inducement Correct answer.
  4. Entrapment applies only if the employer is a government contractor

Explanation

Entrapment is a defense to prosecution by the government; inducement by a private investigator generally does not constitute entrapment. Egregious investigator conduct can still create civil exposure and can undermine the employer's case.

Question 42Investigative techniques and case management

A subpoena duces tecum differs from a subpoena ad testificandum in that it does which of the following?

  1. Requires the witness to produce documents or records Correct answer.
  2. Requires the witness to bring an attorney
  3. Applies only in criminal cases
  4. Is issued only by a private investigator

Explanation

A subpoena ad testificandum commands a person to appear and testify, while a subpoena duces tecum commands production of documents or things, often in addition to testimony. Both may issue in civil and criminal matters.

Question 43Investigative techniques and case management

When photographing a scene, the recommended sequence begins with which type of image?

  1. Photographs of the people present
  2. Photographs taken only after items are moved for clarity
  3. Close-up shots of the smallest items first
  4. Wide shots of the scene before close-up detail shots Correct answer.

Explanation

Scene photography moves from the general to the specific: overall views establish the layout, mid-range shots show relationships among items, and close-ups capture detail with a scale. This preserves context for anyone reviewing the images later.

Question 44Investigative techniques and case management

An investigator receives new information after submitting a report. What is the best practice?

  1. Wait until the case closes and include everything in one final report
  2. Prepare a dated supplemental report referencing the original Correct answer.
  3. Annotate the client's copy by hand and return it
  4. Rewrite the original report and discard the earlier version

Explanation

Supplemental reports preserve the record and the chronology while showing exactly when new information arrived. Altering a report already delivered invites allegations of tampering.

Question 45Investigative techniques and case management

Who ordinarily is entitled to receive the investigative file produced for a client?

  1. The general public under Ohio public records law
  2. The subject of the investigation, on request
  3. Any licensed investigator who requests it
  4. The client, or as authorized by the client or legal process Correct answer.

Explanation

The investigative file is confidential and disclosure is controlled by the client or compelled by subpoena or court order. Licensing rules and the engagement agreement typically reinforce this confidentiality obligation.

Question 46Investigative techniques and case management

An investigator collects refuse left in bags at the curb in front of a subject's home for collection. Which statement best describes the analysis?

  1. Curb garbage generally carries no reasonable expectation of privacy Correct answer.
  2. It is lawful only if the investigator is a sworn officer
  3. It is a search requiring a warrant because it is within the curtilage
  4. It is prohibited because the bags remain the subject's property until the hauler collects them

Explanation

Under the abandonment analysis applied in Greenwood, garbage placed at the curb for collection is generally treated as abandoned, so no reasonable expectation of privacy attaches. Investigators should still confirm local ordinances and avoid stepping onto curtilage.

Question 47Investigative techniques and case management

Which best distinguishes an interview from an interrogation?

  1. An interview is always recorded; an interrogation never is
  2. An interview is conducted only by police; an interrogation only by civilians
  3. An interview gathers facts; an interrogation seeks admissions Correct answer.
  4. An interview requires Miranda warnings; an interrogation does not

Explanation

Interviews are non-accusatory information-gathering sessions, while interrogations are accusatory and designed to elicit admissions. Miranda warnings apply only to custodial interrogation by government agents.

Question 48Investigative techniques and case management

During a multi-day surveillance, what should the investigator's log record?

  1. Only the total billable hours per day
  2. The investigator's personal opinions about the subject's character
  3. Only the moments when the subject was photographed
  4. Times, locations, observations, and gaps in contact Correct answer.

Explanation

A contemporaneous log with times, places, observations, and any breaks in contact supports the final report and demonstrates diligence. Gaps should be explained rather than hidden, because opposing counsel will probe them.

Question 49Investigative techniques and case management

To authenticate a screenshot of a subject's social media post at trial, the investigator should do which of the following?

  1. Rely on the screenshot alone, since images are self-authenticating
  2. Delete the account so the post cannot be changed
  3. Ask the client to sign a statement that the post is real
  4. Log the URL and capture time and preserve the underlying data Correct answer.

Explanation

Authentication requires showing that the item is what it purports to be; for web evidence that means documenting the source and the circumstances of capture and preserving the data in a verifiable way. A bare screenshot is easily challenged as altered.

Question 50Investigative techniques and case management

During a mobile surveillance, the subject repeatedly slows, changes lanes, and pulls over briefly. How should the investigator interpret this?

  1. A request for the investigator to pass
  2. A signal that the subject is lost
  3. Normal driving that requires no change
  4. Possible surveillance detection; break off or hand off Correct answer.

Explanation

Repeated lane changes, sudden stops, and letting a follower pass are classic surveillance-detection moves. The correct response is to break contact, hand off to another unit, or resume later with a different vehicle.