1. National Certified Investigator/Inspector Training Basic Program
End of Course Review
National Certified Investigator/Inspector Training Basic Program

2. Examination The format is multiple choice. 78 questions
One hour time limit

3. Professional Conduct Review

4. Professional Conduct Review
A professional investigator is a fair and unbiased fact-finder.
Respect is not granted automatically, but is earned on an individual basis through each interaction.

5. Professional Conduct Review
Your attitude is not what you intend, but what others perceive.
Ethics is defined as “principles of right conduct”.
Conflicts of interest are a major issue facing regulators.

6. Principles of Administrative Law Review

7. Administrative Law Review
Administrative agencies are given authority to set standards and determine violations.
Administrative agencies are subject to executive, legislative and judicial controls.
Board composition is determined in each jurisdiction and can vary greatly.

8. Administrative Law Review
The types of agencies are: autonomous board, centralized agencies, semi-autonomous.
Although the Rules of Evidence do not apply, they are usually followed.

9. Administrative Law Review
Judicial review determines if the agency –
Acted constitutionally
Acted within authority
Used correct procedure
Made a decision supported by facts
Imposed a justified penalty

10. Administrative Law Review
The three standards of judicial review are arbitrary, capricious, or abuse of discretion.

11. Investigative Process Review

12. Investigative Process Review
The investigative process consists of four phases: intake, analysis, planning and execution.
A complaint is an expression of pain, dissatisfaction, resentment, discomfort or grief.

13. Investigative Process Review
Consumers, licensees, professional associations, other agencies, and the media are all sources of complaints.
For a complaint to meet the standard of acceptance it must be jurisdictional and legally sufficient.

14. Investigative Process Review
Most agencies accept complaints either verbally or in writing.
The use of a standardized document that captures all pertinent data and is easily tracked is a centralized collection process.

15. Investigative Process Review
Experts are used because of specialization in practice areas.
To properly develop a case, the investigator must know the law or regulation allegedly violated and be able to show the specific elements of that law or regulation.

16. Investigative Process Review
Probable cause must be shown to obtain a search warrant.
The primary source of information is the investigator.
The complainant’s information is the foundation for the investigation.

17. Investigative Process Review
An investigative plan should consider financial considerations, personnel requirements and equipment needs.
De-escalation techniques are counter-intuitive and must be practiced to be effective.

18. Investigative Process Review
Use a low tone of voice and modulated speech when attempting de-escalation techniques.
Do not attempt to use de-escalation techniques when weapons are involved. Immediately remove yourself if possible.

19. Principles of Evidence Review

20. Principles of Evidence Review
Rules of evidence ensure consistency, fairness, and reliability.
The two classifications of evidence are Direct and Circumstantial.
The competence of an expert witness must be determined at each hearing.

21. Principles of Evidence Review
Demonstrative evidence is used to support testimonial evidence.
Admissible evidence must be material, relevant, and competent.
Privileged evidence may not be admitted.

22. Principles of Evidence Review
Types of privileged evidence –
Physician/patient
Clergyman/penitent
Marital
Attorney/client
Other relationships
Trade secrets

23. Principles of Evidence Review
Authenticating evidence means establishing that something is what you claim it to be.
Best Evidence Rule - the most original document is best.
Preponderance of the evidence is the standard of proof in most administrative proceedings.

24. Evidence Collection Review

25. Evidence Collection Review
The best method to mark evidence is to do it directly on the item unless it affects the evidentiary value.
Scene photographs are taking from general to specific.

26. Evidence Collection Review
Evidence may be unavailable, unauthenticated, or damaged if proper evidence procedures and practices are not followed.

27. Interviewing Review

28. Interviewing Review An interview is a conversation with a purpose.
Honesty, integrity, and objectivity all help an investigator show a desire to seek the truth.

29. Interviewing Review
An investigator displays a professional demeanor in many ways including, posture, bearing, facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, and style of speech.

30. Interviewing Review
An interrogation is the questioning of an individual who is believed to have information, but is reluctant to share it.
Privacy, neutral environment, minimal distractions, lighting, and seating are all important interview location considerations.

31. Interviewing Review
Provide your credentials and indentifying information as part of rapport building.
Demonstrating an unbiased and professional demeanor is an excellent way to establish rapport and gather information.

32. Interviewing Review
The core of all interviews is indirect and direct examination.
Non-verbal communication tends to be the best way to identify true, honest communication.

33. Interviewing Review
Keep your questions short, simple, and clear and give the interviewee time to answer.
A good way to get information from a person of interest is the monologue technique.

34. Inspections Review

35. Inspection Review
The purpose of an inspection is to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the public.
The inspector is the eyes and ears of the agency.

36. Inspection Review
One possible source of authority to conduct an inspection is implied consent.
The exit interview is an inspection element that is most often overlooked and conducting incorrectly.

37. Report Writing Review

38. Report Writing Review
Investigative reports must be objective and factual.
The basic purpose of a factual report is to be descriptive.

39. Report Writing Review
The active voice is preferred over the passive voice because it is shorter and more direct.
If your agency allows, your reports should be written in first person because it is shorter, clearer, and flows better for the reader.

40. Report Writing Review
Concrete words are preferred in investigative reports as they make sentences as clear as possible.
Proofreading is essential and any good writer in your agency can be a proofreader.

41. Report Writing Review Reports should follow a chronological sequence.
The report should be written throughout the course of the investigation, not after the investigation is fully completed.

42. Report Writing Review
Always follow agency policy regarding destroying notes and reports. If no policy exists, make sure the legal case is complete, including appeals, before destroying any information.

43. Testifying Review

44. Testifying Review Investigators are used to summarize evidence.
The main role of an investigator is to tell the truth in an objective and impartial manner.

45. Testifying Review
If you make a mistake during testimony, admit it and correct the error as soon as possible.
Regardless of the tact of the defense attorney, the investigator should think before speaking and give truthful responses.

46. Testifying Review
Good witness testimony includes professional attitude, demeanor, attention to detail, honesty, listening skills, and careful speech.
Courtroom demeanor includes respect for all, giving clear and concise answers, and providing impartial testimony.

47. Good Luck