CFE-Investigation Exam Dumps - ACFE Certified Fraud Examiner Questions and Answers

Digital forensics guidance stresses:

If the computer is off, do not turn it on, because booting will alter files and timestamps.

If the computer is on and volatile data is needed (e.g., RAM), a formally trained examiner may collect it live. Otherwise, simply unplugging the system (hard shutdown) preserves volatile evidence better than a graceful shutdown.

Thus, if the evidence exists only in volatile data and the system is running, Nobles may collect it via the normal interface.

✅ Answer: A. If Lucas's computer is running, Nobles may retrieve data… if the evidence exists only in volatile data

Explanation with Extracts = The 2014 Fraud Examiners Manual states:

“The EU Data Protection Directive … regulates the processing, using, and transferring of personal data within the European Union, and it places limits on transmitting personal data to non-EU countries”.

Therefore, a U.S.-based examiner handling HR data of an EU employee must comply with EU GDPR requirements.

“Introductory questions should be designed to establish rapport… the interviewer must establish some common ground with the respondent before he begins the fact-gathering portion of the interview. Interviewers usually establish rapport by spending a few minutes with the respondent in an informal dialogue”.

Thus, Vishal’s small talk about ties and sports is rapport-building.

The Fraud Examiners Manual explains that rather than drafting an exhaustive list of questions, the interviewer should:

“formulate a brief outline of key points to discuss during the interview”.

This helps organize thoughts while allowing flexibility.

The Fraud Examiners Manual and CFE Prep Guide both state:

“In an admission-seeking interview, the interviewer should transition to the verbal confession when the accused furnishes the first detailed information about the offence. There are three approaches to obtaining the confession: chronologically, by transaction, or by event”.

Thus, B is the true statement.

According to the CFE Prep - Investigations study guide:

“It is recommended that any witnesses who are considered potentially volatile be interviewed without advance notice. Surprise should be employed in any interview that is considered potentially volatile. In many instances, the potentially volatile respondent is unaware that he is going to be questioned, and will therefore be unprepared. If the interview is not conducted by surprise, the interviewer runs the risk of the respondent not showing up, showing up with a witness, or being present with counsel. A target’s friends, relatives, and romantic interests often make for a difficult interview. They perceive that the fraud examiner is deliberately targeting someone close to them.”

???? Interpretation for this scenario:

Brianna is described as very protective of her boyfriend, making her a potentially volatile witness.

Best practice is to avoid giving her advance notice (which might increase hostility, resentment, or allow preparation).

Conducting the interview with little or no notice reduces the risk of interference, ensures she is unprepared, and prevents her from appearing with legal counsel or allies.

“The failure to preserve the integrity of digital evidence could result in evidence being deemed inadmissible in a legal proceeding, or, even if admitted, it might not be given much weight because evidence of questionable authenticity does not provide reliable proof.”

Therefore, D is the most accurate statement.

The 2014 International Fraud Examiners Manual and CFE Prep - Investigations explicitly state:

“Like some printers, copiers and other multifunction machines might have internal storage devices that store relevant data. In fact, almost every copier built since 2002 has a hard drive that stores images of documents the machines have copied, scanned, or emailed. Some copiers store user access records and a history of copies made. … when seizing a computer for forensic analysis, it is generally necessary to seize any copiers and scanners connected to it.”

Thus, the correct answer is C.

“In jurisdictions that regulate credit information and personal data, a fraud examiner will generally need a legally acceptable reason for accessing such information from third parties… some common circumstances include when: the individual has given consent”.

Thus, with the individual’s consent, Leslie could obtain the report.

“Even when a victim refers a fraud case for criminal prosecution, the government will usually not disclose the contents of nonpublic records with the victim during the investigation”.

Thus, option D is most accurate.