CLEET Phase 3 - Private Investigator (Latest 2026/2027 Update) | Q&A | Grade
A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) – Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement
Education & Training
Subject: Private Investigation – Legal Guidelines, Evidence Handling, Surveillance, Reports,
Ethics, and Oklahoma Statutes
Source: CLEET Phase 3 Curriculum – 2026/2027 Standards
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale • Exam Prep • Private Investigator Licensing
1: Guidelines for assessing the scene (after the fact) (5 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. Was the scene clear of unauthorized persons? 2. Were there witnesses? 3. Were
there any written statements taken at the scene? 4. Was the scene recorded? 5. Was the chain of
evidence proper?
1. Scene assessment ensures evidence integrity and prevents contamination.
2. Documentation of witnesses and statements preserves testimony for later use.
3. Chain of evidence verification is critical for admissibility in court.
2: When can you record conversations legally? (3 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. You are a party to the conversation 2. Permission from one of the parties 3. If you
can hear the conversation in a public or semi-public place
1. One-party consent states allow recording if you are the participant.
2. Public conversations have no reasonable expectation of privacy.
3. Oklahoma is a one-party consent state for recordings.
3: Law that acts as a binding limitation, and includes state and federal statutes, rules and
regulations, and municipal ordinances.
Correct Answer: Regulatory Law
1. Regulatory law governs conduct through administrative rules and statutes.
2. Violations may result in civil penalties or license revocation.
3. Private investigators must comply with all applicable regulations.
4: What is the term for justification of the in house investigation activities?
Correct Answer: Pre-text
1. Pretext provides a legitimate-appearing reason for investigator's presence.
2. Must be lawful and not involve misrepresentation of law enforcement authority.
3. Common in undercover and internal investigations.
,5: What is the term working within an org, often under another identity or pretext to collect
information?
Correct Answer: In house investigation
1. Internal investigators work as employees undercover within the organization.
2. Used for theft, fraud, compliance, and policy violation cases.
3. Requires careful legal compliance regarding employee rights.
6: What is the term for the number of people who handle an item of evidence from the time it
is collected to the time to close a case?
Correct Answer: chain of evidence/custody
1. Chain of custody documents every transfer of physical evidence.
2. Breaks in chain may render evidence inadmissible.
3. Each handler must sign and date when receiving and transferring.
7: The relationship between client and investigator is one of __
Correct Answer: mutual benefit
1. Client receives information/services; investigator receives compensation.
2. Fiduciary duty and confidentiality bind both parties.
3. Relationship defined by contract and agency law.
8: What are topics that require confidentiality? (3 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. Your activities 2. Client's role 3. Sources of information
1. Disclosure of investigative methods could compromise future cases.
2. Client confidentiality is protected by professional ethics and sometimes privilege.
3. Source protection is essential for ongoing cooperation.
9: Possible consequences of failing to maintain confidentiality? (5 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. Loss of faith by client 2. Damage to client's reputation or business 3. Damage to
professional reputation 4. Loss of assistance from contacts and informants 5. Violation of OK Security
Guard PI Act
1. Breach of confidentiality destroys trust essential to investigator-client relationship.
2. Legal sanctions under state licensing laws may include fines or license revocation.
3. Civil liability for damages caused by improper disclosure.
10: Select basic guidelines maintaining the confidence of clients. (4 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. Client's role in the investigation 2. Protect your sources of information 3. Return all
documents to client 4. Release only information that client authorizes.
1. Client authorization required before sharing any case information with third parties.
2. Return of documents prevents accidental disclosure.
3. Source protection maintains future investigative capabilities.
11: Identify characteristics of good reports (4 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. detailed 2. documented 3. readable 4. usable
1. Detailed reports preserve factual observations without opinion.
2. Readable format ensures clients and attorneys can understand findings.
3. Usable reports support legal strategy or business decisions.
, 12: Which report presents detailed info about the results of surveillance activities, every minute
and every activity during your assignment.
Correct Answer: surveillance report
1. Surveillance report logs times, locations, observed behaviors verbatim.
2. Often includes photographs or video logs.
3. Essential for proving claims of activity or in surveillance-based cases.
13: Which report present relevant information concerning the character and reputation of the
subject to determine the suitability of an applicant for employment.
Correct Answer: background investigation report
1. Background reports include employment, education, criminal, and reference checks.
2. Subject to Fair Credit Reporting Act requirements.
3. Used for pre-employment screening and security clearances.
14: Which report describes subject's credit worth, character, and general reputation, or mode of
living.
Correct Answer: consumer and investigative consumer report
1. Consumer reports governed by FCRA; require disclosure to subject.
2. Investigative consumer reports include interviews with neighbors/associates.
3. Used for insurance, credit, employment, and tenant screening.
15: Which report records daily activities?
Correct Answer: Case report
1. Case report chronologically documents all investigative actions, expenses, and findings.
2. Serves as master record for the entire investigation.
3. Used for billing, legal defense, and supervisory review.
16: What is a rule for submitting reports to clients?
Correct Answer: Adopt standard format for each report and agree with client on number and type of
reports to provide.
1. Standardized format ensures consistency and professionalism.
2. Client agreement prevents disputes over deliverables.
3. Regular reporting keeps client informed of progress.
17: Select basic responsibilities to clients.(5 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. Follow legal guidelines 2. Follow client's employment regulations if internal
investigation 3. Take initiative within agreed upon tasks. 4. Be client's agent 5. Recommend file
charges resulting from investigation
1. Legal compliance protects both investigator and client from liability.
2. As agent, investigator represents client's interests within scope of authority.
3. Recommendation to file charges fulfills professional duty when evidence supports.
A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) – Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement
Education & Training
Subject: Private Investigation – Legal Guidelines, Evidence Handling, Surveillance, Reports,
Ethics, and Oklahoma Statutes
Source: CLEET Phase 3 Curriculum – 2026/2027 Standards
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale • Exam Prep • Private Investigator Licensing
1: Guidelines for assessing the scene (after the fact) (5 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. Was the scene clear of unauthorized persons? 2. Were there witnesses? 3. Were
there any written statements taken at the scene? 4. Was the scene recorded? 5. Was the chain of
evidence proper?
1. Scene assessment ensures evidence integrity and prevents contamination.
2. Documentation of witnesses and statements preserves testimony for later use.
3. Chain of evidence verification is critical for admissibility in court.
2: When can you record conversations legally? (3 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. You are a party to the conversation 2. Permission from one of the parties 3. If you
can hear the conversation in a public or semi-public place
1. One-party consent states allow recording if you are the participant.
2. Public conversations have no reasonable expectation of privacy.
3. Oklahoma is a one-party consent state for recordings.
3: Law that acts as a binding limitation, and includes state and federal statutes, rules and
regulations, and municipal ordinances.
Correct Answer: Regulatory Law
1. Regulatory law governs conduct through administrative rules and statutes.
2. Violations may result in civil penalties or license revocation.
3. Private investigators must comply with all applicable regulations.
4: What is the term for justification of the in house investigation activities?
Correct Answer: Pre-text
1. Pretext provides a legitimate-appearing reason for investigator's presence.
2. Must be lawful and not involve misrepresentation of law enforcement authority.
3. Common in undercover and internal investigations.
,5: What is the term working within an org, often under another identity or pretext to collect
information?
Correct Answer: In house investigation
1. Internal investigators work as employees undercover within the organization.
2. Used for theft, fraud, compliance, and policy violation cases.
3. Requires careful legal compliance regarding employee rights.
6: What is the term for the number of people who handle an item of evidence from the time it
is collected to the time to close a case?
Correct Answer: chain of evidence/custody
1. Chain of custody documents every transfer of physical evidence.
2. Breaks in chain may render evidence inadmissible.
3. Each handler must sign and date when receiving and transferring.
7: The relationship between client and investigator is one of __
Correct Answer: mutual benefit
1. Client receives information/services; investigator receives compensation.
2. Fiduciary duty and confidentiality bind both parties.
3. Relationship defined by contract and agency law.
8: What are topics that require confidentiality? (3 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. Your activities 2. Client's role 3. Sources of information
1. Disclosure of investigative methods could compromise future cases.
2. Client confidentiality is protected by professional ethics and sometimes privilege.
3. Source protection is essential for ongoing cooperation.
9: Possible consequences of failing to maintain confidentiality? (5 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. Loss of faith by client 2. Damage to client's reputation or business 3. Damage to
professional reputation 4. Loss of assistance from contacts and informants 5. Violation of OK Security
Guard PI Act
1. Breach of confidentiality destroys trust essential to investigator-client relationship.
2. Legal sanctions under state licensing laws may include fines or license revocation.
3. Civil liability for damages caused by improper disclosure.
10: Select basic guidelines maintaining the confidence of clients. (4 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. Client's role in the investigation 2. Protect your sources of information 3. Return all
documents to client 4. Release only information that client authorizes.
1. Client authorization required before sharing any case information with third parties.
2. Return of documents prevents accidental disclosure.
3. Source protection maintains future investigative capabilities.
11: Identify characteristics of good reports (4 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. detailed 2. documented 3. readable 4. usable
1. Detailed reports preserve factual observations without opinion.
2. Readable format ensures clients and attorneys can understand findings.
3. Usable reports support legal strategy or business decisions.
, 12: Which report presents detailed info about the results of surveillance activities, every minute
and every activity during your assignment.
Correct Answer: surveillance report
1. Surveillance report logs times, locations, observed behaviors verbatim.
2. Often includes photographs or video logs.
3. Essential for proving claims of activity or in surveillance-based cases.
13: Which report present relevant information concerning the character and reputation of the
subject to determine the suitability of an applicant for employment.
Correct Answer: background investigation report
1. Background reports include employment, education, criminal, and reference checks.
2. Subject to Fair Credit Reporting Act requirements.
3. Used for pre-employment screening and security clearances.
14: Which report describes subject's credit worth, character, and general reputation, or mode of
living.
Correct Answer: consumer and investigative consumer report
1. Consumer reports governed by FCRA; require disclosure to subject.
2. Investigative consumer reports include interviews with neighbors/associates.
3. Used for insurance, credit, employment, and tenant screening.
15: Which report records daily activities?
Correct Answer: Case report
1. Case report chronologically documents all investigative actions, expenses, and findings.
2. Serves as master record for the entire investigation.
3. Used for billing, legal defense, and supervisory review.
16: What is a rule for submitting reports to clients?
Correct Answer: Adopt standard format for each report and agree with client on number and type of
reports to provide.
1. Standardized format ensures consistency and professionalism.
2. Client agreement prevents disputes over deliverables.
3. Regular reporting keeps client informed of progress.
17: Select basic responsibilities to clients.(5 answers)
Correct Answer: 1. Follow legal guidelines 2. Follow client's employment regulations if internal
investigation 3. Take initiative within agreed upon tasks. 4. Be client's agent 5. Recommend file
charges resulting from investigation
1. Legal compliance protects both investigator and client from liability.
2. As agent, investigator represents client's interests within scope of authority.
3. Recommendation to file charges fulfills professional duty when evidence supports.
