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An excerpt from
Code of Professional Conduct:
Rule 2:9 To do no harm
The investigator should be constantly mindful of the welfare of others, taking
care to not knowingly do harm to any person.
Comment
It is understood that the findings of an investigation may not be beneficial to
the party or parties under investigation. The concept of harm extends to any
action by the investigator that would inflict physical injury or injury to
reputation or well being as a result of a conscious and purposeful act. Harmful
acts include wrongfully disseminating information to inappropriate parties,
perpetuating of untruths or causing any person to be physically injured.
Clarification
| (1) Physical well being |
(a)
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The investigator should refrain from using devices or
techniques in such a manner that threatens life, limb or safety of others.
This includes driving responsibly in order to avoid injury to bystanders
during the course of surveillance. It further extends to appropriate use
of equipment to prevent physical injury or threat to life and limb. |
| (b) |
The safety of the public is of the utmost concern at all times.
Investigators should use all equipment in a responsible and cautious manner. The
rights and privileges of every citizen should be taken into account while
conducting an investigation. Motor vehicles, firearms and other equipment that
could be physically dangerous should be employed with extreme caution and proper
training. |
| (c) |
Industry-specific equipment necessary in gathering evidence should be
used without threatening the life, limb or safety of any person. Such related
equipment includes, but is not limited to, motor vehicles, surveillance
equipment, photographic equipment, computers, chemicals for gathering, testing
and analysis, polygraph machinery and other apparatus specifically designed to
aid the investigator in his or her pursuit of information. |
| (2) Harm to reputation |
| (a) |
An investigator should not injure the reputation of his or her client.
Breach of confidentiality is potentially dangerous to the client's welfare.
Discussing the case of a client in an inappropriate situation may prove harmful
as well. |
| (b) |
The investigator should be aware of the potential damage that can be done
by revealing information of a confidential nature to anyone other than the
client. Psychological as well as physical harm may result from a breach of
contract. The dissemination of privileged information may affect personal
relationships and business alliances. |
| (c) |
Disclosure of an investigation places the client in jeopardy. The target
or subject of an investigation may act or react to this revelation in a manner
that ultimately harms the client. |
| (d) |
The reputation of the client should be upheld and respected. The client
should never be maligned or spoken of in a demeaning manner. False statements
should not be uttered and details of financial relationships should not be
revealed. An exception arises when fee information is necessarily revealed in a
court of law or during dispute negotiation between client and investigator. |
(See Code of Conduct for remainder of section.
Order here)
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