BC Private Investigator Practice Test 4

All 25 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

1. A retired officer with 10 years of police service applies for a full PI licence. What else is needed?

   1. A two-year apprenticeship with a licensed firm in B.C.
   2. Nothing more, because police work fully replaces all of the training requirements
   3. Registration in the PSKN course, with the exam done within a year
   4. A new criminal law degree from a B.C. university

2. Information was used to make a decision directly affecting a person. How long must it be kept under PIPA?

   1. Until the person turns 65
   2. At least 30 days after the decision
   3. At least one year after the decision
   4. At least seven years after the decision

3. How must a PI firm protect personal information in its files?

   1. By storing files in the investigator's car
   2. With reasonable security arrangements
   3. By emailing files to the client's friends
   4. By sharing copies with all staff

4. Can a lawful public-interest publication excuse how the information was gathered under the Privacy Act?

   1. Yes, if the client is a public company
   2. Yes, a public-interest story excuses any method used to gather it
   3. No, it does not cover acts that themselves violated privacy
   4. Yes, if a newspaper prints it first

5. Who does section 35 protect when they prevent a person from taking property?

   1. Only a peace officer called to the scene
   2. Someone in peaceable possession, or acting for them
   3. Anyone at all, wherever the property is
   4. Only the registered owner of the property on the land title record

6. Can surveillance violate privacy under B.C.'s Privacy Act even without trespass?

   1. No, only entering land can violate privacy
   2. Only if the subject is a public official
   3. Yes, surveillance can violate privacy without trespass
   4. Only if the PI uses a hidden microphone or a camera inside the home

7. How should a PI decide which searches to run on a file?

   1. Every database available, just in case
   2. Whatever searches the subject's neighbours suggest might be useful
   3. Only those needed for the purpose of the assignment
   4. Only searches that cost nothing

8. Who may publish that a person was dealt with under the YCJA once they turn 18?

   1. Any news outlet that asks the court
   2. The PI's client, with a lawyer's letter
   3. The person themselves, if not in custody
   4. The victim, without any limits

9. Why should a PI not rely only on a digital recorder for notes?

   1. Recorders are banned for licensed PIs
   2. Recorders are never allowed in court
   3. Recorders always break privacy law
   4. Batteries can drain and devices can fail

10. A client asks a PI firm to sweep an office for hidden listening devices. Which licence covers this work?

    1. A locksmith licence
    2. A security alarm installer licence
    3. No licence, since it is a technical job
    4. A security consultant licence

11. Which association provided the content of the B.C. Introduction to Private Investigation course?

    1. The Justice Institute of British Columbia
    2. The Canadian Bar Association, B.C. branch
    3. The Professional Investigators' Association of B.C.
    4. The Insurance Council of British Columbia

12. When may a company intercept communications passing through its own computer system?

    1. Whenever it wants to read its staff's private messages for any reason
    2. When reasonably necessary to manage or protect that system
    3. Whenever an employee leaves the company
    4. Whenever a PI asks it to for a file

13. Which act must an undercover operator avoid?

    1. Reporting a safety violation they see
    2. Meeting their supervisor after each shift
    3. Offering an employee money to steal something
    4. Handing seized evidence to the supervisor

14. Which is a protected ground for services under B.C.'s Human Rights Code?

    1. Credit score
    2. Political party membership
    3. Place of origin
    4. Choice of profession

15. What is the key purpose of taking a witness statement?

    1. To list the witness's personal opinions
    2. To replace the need for any court testimony
    3. To keep an accurate record of the witness's recollection
    4. To persuade the witness to support the client's version of events

16. For B.C. licensing, which summary conviction offences count as a 'crime'?

    1. Criminal Code, drug act and youth act offences
    2. Only those that carry a prison sentence
    3. Only offences committed while working
    4. Any offence under any provincial statute, including traffic tickets

17. What can a Personal Property Security Registry search reveal?

    1. A person's medical history
    2. A person's sealed youth court record and charges
    3. A person's bank PIN
    4. Liens registered against a person's property

18. Why should a PI keep records of how a digital photo was taken and stored?

    1. To raise the price of the report
    2. Because digital photos are not allowed as evidence in any B.C. court
    3. To satisfy a social media policy
    4. To help prove the file is authentic if used in court

19. Within how many days must a PI report a criminal charge against them to the registrar?

    1. 60 days
    2. 7 days
    3. 14 days
    4. 30 days

20. Can a PI's written report replace their testimony at a criminal trial?

    1. Yes, as long as it is sent to the judge before the trial begins
    2. Yes, if the client signs it as well
    3. Yes, if the report is notarized
    4. No, evidence must normally be given orally

21. How should a PI begin an interview with a witness?

    1. Say they are with the police to save time
    2. Start recording right away without saying who they are or why
    3. Greet them, identify themselves and show the licence
    4. Ask for the witness's ID before speaking

22. Under s. 494 (1) (a), whom may anyone arrest without a warrant?

    1. A person who refuses to answer a PI's questions
    2. A person found committing an indictable offence
    3. A person who is breaking a municipal bylaw
    4. A person suspected of an offence last month

23. When is an undercover operation generally used?

    1. Whenever the client is in a hurry
    2. As the first step on every file
    3. Only when police ask for help
    4. As a last resort after other techniques

24. What can a private investigator under supervision do?

    1. Supervise newer investigators at a licensed private investigation firm
    2. Any PI work, after six months in the industry
    3. PI work, only under a fully licensed PI's supervision
    4. Only office research, never field surveillance

25. After making a citizen's arrest, what must a PI do with the person?

    1. Release them once the client decides
    2. Deliver them to a peace officer forthwith
    3. Question them before calling anyone
    4. Take them to the client's office