Free GA-PDA Practice Questions

Question 1

A Georgia private-detective company designee applicant has worked for a licensed detective agency for two years, averaging 28 hours each week. The applicant has no qualifying law-enforcement experience and no four-year degree. How should the experience route be evaluated?

Accepted Answer

The applicant does not qualify through experience because full-time requires at least 30 hours per week

Answer

The applicant qualifies because two calendar years of agency work is sufficient

Answer

The applicant qualifies after completing the separate 70-hour basic-training course

Answer

The applicant may substitute a current employer's notarized recommendation for the 30-hour weekly requirement

Question 2

An agency's liability policy will be canceled. The insurer gives the Board written notice 32 days before cancellation, but the agency submits replacement coverage 12 days after cancellation takes effect. Which statement is accurate?

Accepted Answer

The advance notice was timely, but the replacement deadline was missed and the Board may revoke the license

Answer

Both deadlines were met because replacement is allowed within 30 days after cancellation

Answer

The notice was untimely because the Board must receive at least 45 days' advance notice

Answer

The cancellation has no licensing effect until the insurer refunds the unused premium

Question 3

During a telephone interview, both participants and their devices are in Georgia, the investigator is an active participant, and no special court order, protective order, or cross-state issue applies. May the investigator record the call without the other participant's consent?

Accepted Answer

Yes; Georgia generally permits recording when at least one participant consents

Answer

No; every private conversation requires express consent from all participants before any recording begins

Answer

No; only a law-enforcement officer may record a private call without a court order

Answer

Yes, but only if the client separately consents before the call begins

Question 4

A police detective asks a private investigator to enter a suspect's locked storage unit and look for records because police do not have a warrant. Neither the owner nor the renter has consented. What is the investigator's proper response?

Accepted Answer

Decline; the investigator lacks lawful access and could become an agent for an unlawful government search

Answer

Enter because the Fourth Amendment regulates police conduct, not private investigators

Answer

Enter if the investigator photographs the lock before opening it and documents every item

Answer

Ask the police detective to provide verbal authorization for access and treat it as equivalent to a court order

Question 5

While reviewing surveillance video, an investigator finds a segment that materially undermines the client's allegation. The client directs the investigator to omit it from the final report because it is "outside the theory of the case." What should the investigator do?

Accepted Answer

Preserve the segment and report the contrary evidence and its significance objectively

Answer

Remove the segment if the client agrees not to use the report in court

Answer

Delete the working copy but retain a private note that the segment once existed

Answer

Describe only the client's preferred evidence because the client owns the investigation

Question 6

A process server delivers a subpoena for an agency's case file. The subpoena has a stated production date and contains no instruction barring notice. What is the best initial operational response?

Accepted Answer

Date-stamp and preserve the file, verify authority and scope, calendar the deadline, and route the matter for lawful response

Answer

Send the entire file immediately so the agency cannot be accused of delay

Answer

Refuse production because investigator-client confidentiality always overrides a subpoena

Answer

Remove drafts and rough notes before anyone outside the agency reviews the file

Question 7

From a lawful surveillance position, an investigator sees one person begin striking another with a metal object. The assault is ongoing and presents an immediate threat of serious bodily harm. What takes priority?

Accepted Answer

Contact emergency services, give an accurate location and observations, and remain safely available

Answer

Continue recording without calling so the evidentiary sequence remains uninterrupted

Answer

Telephone the client first and act only after receiving instructions

Answer

Approach and physically detain the assailant at the scene because a detective license confers arrest authority

Question 8

Immediately before and after surveillance, a camera is confirmed to run exactly five minutes fast. Its embedded timestamp for a material event is 21:37. Which chronology entry is most defensible?

Accepted Answer

Recorded time 21:37; corrected time 21:32, with the minus-five-minute offset documented

Answer

21:42, with the original metadata replaced so every copy shows the corrected time

Answer

21:37 only, because any correction would make the video inadmissible

Answer

Corrected time 21:32, after editing the original file and every archived copy so the embedded timestamp matches

Question 9

One surveillance unit loses sight of a vehicle for eight minutes. A second unit later confirms the plate, distinctive rear-quarter damage, and the subject's face before resuming observation. How should the operation be reported?

Accepted Answer

With the eight-minute gap disclosed and the independent features used to re-establish identity stated

Answer

As continuous surveillance because the same license plate was eventually observed

Answer

Only through the last confirmed sighting, because all later observations are automatically unusable

Answer

As a new investigation that requires a separate client contract and case number

Question 10

At a lawful scene, an investigator collects a wet blood-stained shirt after photographing it in place. Safe controlled drying facilities are available. Which preservation method is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Air-dry it securely, then package it alone in breathable paper and mark the biohazard

Answer

Seal it immediately in an airtight plastic bag to prevent outside contamination

Answer

Place it wet in a paper bag with the other clothing so all items retain their scene association

Answer

Dry it in direct sunlight, fold it tightly, and store it in a sealed evidence pouch

Free GA-PDA Practice Questions

Domain 1: Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards 30% of exam

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Domain 2: Observation/Surveillance 15% of exam

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Domain 3: Rules of Evidence and Evidence Handling 23% of exam

Question 10

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